indian allrounder Hardik Pandya Having relocated to Bangalore, it was a big career change and chose to make BCCIThe Center of Excellence (COE) is his main training base for the foreseeable future. The decision makes Pandya the first active, high-profile Indian cricketer to be permanently based near the COE, which has traditionally been used to centrally contract players for injury rehabilitation, fitness testing and national team training camps, rather than as a full-time training centre. Pandya, who hails from Vadodara in Gujarat, has lived in Mumbai for most of the past decade and trained primarily at Mumbai Indians’ training ground in Gansoli. However, the 32-year-old spent considerable time at the COE over the past six months while recovering from a quadriceps injury and has now been transferred to Bengaluru. He was unable to take part in India’s ongoing white-ball tour of England due to injury and is still undergoing rehabilitation. “Hardik Has been permanently shifted to Bangalore. He rented a property on the outskirts of the city, close to the COE. He will become the first Indian cricketer to use COE as a permanent training base for the rest of his career. BCCI sources told PTI. Sources said the reason for the move was convenience and access to world-class facilities. “Hardik wants to move out of Mumbai as traveling from his Lower Parel residence for daily training has become a problem. As a central contract cricketer, he has access to all the facilities of the COE, from injury management to skill training. “Hence, he has decided to make COE his permanent base when he is not fulfilling his IPL, state or national duties,” sources said. Pandya is also expected to have a dedicated support team in Bengaluru, including his own physiotherapist and a personal conditioning (S&C) coach, to oversee his training outside the COE. Sources added that the Indian vice-captain intends to continue playing international white-ball cricket for a few more years. “As long as he plays white-ball cricket for India, he has shifted his base to Bangalore and he intends to play for at least five to six more years. “Even if he does skilled work, such as batting with the net bowlers employed by the COE, Hardik pays the fees out of his own pocket,” the source added. Pandya’s rehabilitation program is still ongoing. He recently took a short break for personal matters and is expected to return to the Center of Excellence in the coming days to resume his recovery. His availability for India’s three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe after the England tour remains uncertain. His selection decision will depend on whether he successfully completes the BCCI’s return-to-play protocol and is declared fully fit.
