India as a whole Hardik Pandya moved to Bengaluru in a significant career move, choosing to do the BCCIThe Center of Excellence (COE) will be its primary training base for the foreseeable future. The decision makes Pandya the first high-profile active Indian cricketer to be permanently based near the COE, a facility that is traditionally used by centrally contracted players for injury rehabilitation, fitness testing and national team camps rather than as a full-time training centre. Pandya, who hails from Baroda in Gujarat, had spent most of the last decade living in Mumbai, where he primarily trained at the Mumbai Indians’ facility in Ghansoli. However, the 32-year-old moved to Bengaluru after spending a considerable amount of time at the COE over the past six months while recovering from a quadriceps injury. The injury ruled him out of India’s white-ball tour of the UK, and he continues to rehabilitate. “Hardik has already moved permanently to Bengaluru. He rented a property on the outskirts of the city, near the COE. He will be the first Indian cricketer to make the COE his permanent training base for the rest of his career,” a BCCI source told PTI. According to the source, the move was driven by convenience and access to first-class facilities. “Hardik wanted to move out of Mumbai as commuting every day from his Lower Parel residence for training had become a problem. As a centrally contracted cricketer, he has access to every facility at the COE, from injury management to skill training. “So, he has taken the decision to make the COE his permanent base as long as he is not in IPL, state or national,” said the source. Pandya is also expected to have a dedicated support team in Bengaluru, including his own physiotherapist and a personal strength and conditioning (S&C) coach, to oversee his training outside the COE. The source added that the Indian vice-captain intends to continue playing international white-ball cricket for several years. “It is like shifting his base to Bengaluru as long as he is playing white-ball cricket for India, and he intends to play for at least another five to six years. “Even when he does skill work, like batting against the net bowlers hired by the COE, Hardik pays them from his own pocket,” added the source. Pandya’s rehabilitation program remains ongoing. He recently took a short break due to personal commitments and is expected to return to the Center of Excellence in the next two days to resume his recovery. His availability for India’s three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which follows the UK tour, remains uncertain. The decision on his selection will depend on him successfully completing the BCCI’s Return to Play protocols and being declared fully fit.
