Indonesia is advancing construction of the Bali International Oval in North Bali as the country builds new infrastructure to support its growing cricket programme and longer-term international ambitions.
The venue is being developed in a village in the north of the island, with the project also drawing directly on the surrounding community during construction. Cricket Indonesia Chairman Abhiram Singh Yadav said in an ICC video: “The process of building this ground involved more than a hundred people. All those hundred people were the villagers of that area so we only used 100% people who stay in that area. So in the future this ground will have a story.”
Indonesia, a country of almost 300 million people spread across more than 17,000 islands, already has cricket being played in both rural and urban areas. The Bali development is designed to provide a new focal point as the sport expands its domestic footprint.
New facilities strengthen Indonesia’s cricket infrastructure
The project represents an important upgrade for players who have developed without the type of playing infrastructure being introduced in Bali.
Indonesia women’s Captain Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini said in the ICC video: “I think it’s really exciting to get better facilities in Bali of course. I think it’s helped us to grow the cricket more.”
The playing surface itself represents another significant development. Wesika Ratna Dewi said in the video: “That is the first time we have a turf wicket that’s very important for us.”
Plans for the site extend beyond a single playing field. According to Cricbuzz, two regulation-sized turf ovals are being created at the North Bali complex, with the layout of both grounds already established and work progressing on the central wicket areas.
Further development will cover several parts of the site rather than a single phase of playing-surface work. Plans include infrastructure for teams and broadcasting alongside high-performance facilities, while the grounds themselves will require irrigation and drainage development, specialist maintenance equipment and further preparation of the wickets and outfields.
Garuda National Cricket Academy adds high-performance focus
A major component of the project will be the Garuda National Cricket Academy, giving Indonesia a permanent base that can be used across the calendar rather than being centred solely around individual competitions.
Indonesia’s senior and age-group programmes are expected to use the academy, while the project has also been conceived with overseas cricket involvement in mind. Visiting teams and academies are among those the facility is intended to accommodate, together with coaches and specialists involved in preparing cricket grounds.
The broader high-performance concept covers more than on-field practice. Cricket Indonesia’s plans encompass areas such as player recovery and sports science as well as coach development and the operational requirements involved in staging tournaments. According to Cricbuzz, the organisation ultimately sees Bali as a potential regional high-performance destination for cricket across the Asia-Pacific.
The plans come as Indonesia seeks to build on progress within its women’s pathway. The country competed at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, with some members of that squad subsequently progressing into the senior women’s team. Indonesia has also reached the Asia Cup, while qualification for a senior World Cup remains among its future targets.
Sakarini has identified playing at a World Cup as one of her ambitions, while the country’s broader plans extend considerably further into the future.
Yadav said: “Plans for the next 10 to 15 years to be one of the top cricket teams in the world. Hopefully top ten, top eight, top five. You never know, one day we might end up becoming a full member, however we are ready to learn and we are ready to work on it as best as possible.”
Bali project connects with wider international ambitions
The development of the venue follows Indonesia’s formal entry into the Asian Cricket Council family around the ACC Annual General Meeting held in Bali in January 2024.
Cricket’s return to the Olympic programme has added another dimension to Indonesia’s infrastructure plans. According to Cricbuzz, Cricket Indonesia hopes the Bali facility can support opportunities for young players to pursue an Olympic pathway while also helping bring international teams and cricket programmes to the island.
Yadav’s role in international cricket administration has also expanded alongside the infrastructure project. The ICC has announced that the Persatuan Cricket Indonesia representative has been elected to one of the Associate Member positions on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee.
The ICC said in an official statement: “Mr Yadav fills one of the three CEC positions reserved for Associate Members, following the vacancy created when Gurumurthy Palani was appointed to the ICC Board in July this year.”
His term on the committee has a defined timetable. The ICC added: “Mr Yadav will serve on the CEC until the next elections, which will be held at the ICC Annual Conference in June 2027.”
The CEC appointment comes as Indonesia continues developing the infrastructure intended to support its domestic player pathway, international engagement and longer-term ambitions for the sport.
