Hardik Pandya moves to Bengaluru, makes BCCI facility permanent training base

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has shifted base to Bengaluru with the aim of making BCCI’s Center of Excellence (COE) his permanent training base for the rest of his career, becoming the first major contemporary Indian cricketer to do so.

The move is unique as India’s centrally contracted players usually visit the center of excellence (COE) only for injury rehabilitation, fitness assessments or national camps.

Although hailing from Baroda, Gujarat, Pandya has spent most of the last decade living in Mumbai, primarily training at his Mumbai Indians franchise facility in Ghansoli.

The 32-year-old, who is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury and has been excluded from the ongoing white ball tour of Great Britainspent considerable time at the COE over the past six months.

“Hardik has already moved to Bengaluru permanently. He has rented a property on the outskirts of the city, close to COE. He will be the first Indian cricketer to make COE a permanent training base for the rest of his career,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“Hardik wanted to move out of Mumbai as the daily commute from his residence in Lower Parel to training had become a problem. As a centrally contracted cricketer, he has access to all the facilities at the COE, from injury management to skill training.”

“Hence, he has decided to make COE his permanent base whenever he is not in IPL, state or national service,” the source said.

It is understood that Hardik will also have his own physiotherapist and personal strength and conditioning (S&C) coach to help him with his training routines outside the COE.

“It is like shifting his base to Bengaluru if he is playing white-ball cricket for India and intends to play for at least five to six more years.

“Even when he does skill work like batting against bowlers hired by the COE, Hardik pays them from his own pocket,” the source added.

As for his comeback, it is clear that his rehabilitation is still ongoing.

He took a few days off for personal work and is expected to return to the COE in a day or two.

However, it is unclear whether he will be selected for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which is scheduled to immediately follow the UK tour, if he is declared fit after the Return-to-Play protocols are completed.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

30 Jun 2026 16:08 IST