India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has relocated to Bengaluru and plans to make the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) his primary training base for the rest of his career, becoming the first active Indian cricketer of his stature to take such a step.
The decision is unusual because centrally contracted Indian players typically use the COE only for injury rehabilitation, fitness evaluations, or national training camps.
Although Pandya hails from Baroda in Gujarat, he has spent much of the past decade living in Mumbai and training mainly at the Mumbai Indians’ facility in Ghansoli.
The 32-year-old is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury, which ruled him out of India’s ongoing white-ball tour of the UK. Over the past six months, he has spent significant time training and rehabilitating at the COE.
According to a BCCI source, Pandya has already moved permanently to Bengaluru and rented a residence on the outskirts of the city near the COE. The source added that he intends to use the facility as his permanent training base for the remainder of his playing career.
The source explained that Pandya wanted to leave Mumbai because daily travel from his Lower Parel residence for training had become inconvenient. As a centrally contracted player, he has access to all facilities at the COE, including injury management, rehabilitation, fitness support, and skill-development resources.
As a result, he decided to base himself there whenever he is not engaged in IPL, domestic, or international commitments.
It is also understood that Pandya will work with a personal physiotherapist and a dedicated strength and conditioning coach to support his training outside the COE.
According to the source, Pandya views Bengaluru as his base for as long as he continues playing white-ball cricket for India and intends to extend his career by another five to six years.
The source further noted that even when using COE-arranged resources, such as net bowlers for batting practice, Pandya personally covers those expenses.
Regarding his return to action, his rehabilitation process is still underway.
He recently took a short break for personal reasons and is expected to rejoin the COE within the next few days.
However, it remains uncertain whether he will be available for selection for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe following the UK tour, even if he successfully completes all Return-to-Play requirements and is declared fit.
