India all-rounder Hardik Pandya moved to Bengaluru in a significant career move, opting for BCCICenter of Excellence (COE) its primary training base for the foreseeable future. With the decision, Pandya becomes the first high-profile active Indian cricketer to be permanently based near the COE, a facility traditionally used by centrally contracted players for injury rehabilitation, fitness testing and national team camps, rather than as a full-day training centre. Pandya, who hails from Baroda in Gujarat, has spent much of the last decade living in Mumbai, primarily training at Mumbai Indians’ facility in Ghansoli. However, the 32-year-old has now moved to Bengaluru after spending a lot of time at the COE over the past six months while recovering from a quadriceps injury. The injury has ruled him out of India’s ongoing tour of the UK and he continues his rehabilitation. “Hardik 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 COE his permanent training base for the rest of his career,” a BCCI source told PTI. According to the source, the move was prompted by convenience and access to world-class facilities. “Hardik wanted to move out of Mumbai as the daily commute from his residence in Lower Parel for training had become a problem. As a contract cricketer on a central contract, he has access to all the facilities at the COE, from injury management to skill training. “Hence, he has taken the decision to make COE his permanent base whenever he is not on IPL, state or national duty,” the source said. Pandya is also expected to have a dedicated support team in Bengaluru, including his own physiotherapist and 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 white-ball international cricket for a few more years. “It’s like moving his base to Bengaluru as long as he plays white-ball cricket for India, and he intends to play for at least another five to six years. “Even when he does a skill like batting against the net bowlers hired by the COE, Hardik pays for them from his own pocket,” the source added. Pandya’s rehabilitation program is still ongoing. He recently took a short break due to personal commitments and is expected to return to the Center of Excellence in the next few days to continue 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 whether he successfully completes the BCCI’s Return-to-Play protocols and is declared fully fit.
