Hardik Pandya permanently moved to Bengaluru to make the BCCI Centre of Excellence his training base / © Sports Tak
As the Indian team continues to manage injuries ahead of a busy international schedule, Hardik Pandya has reportedly made a major change by relocating his training base from Mumbai to Bengaluru. According to reports, the 32-year-old all-rounder has rented a home close to the BCCI Centre of Excellence and plans to use the facility as his primary training base for the rest of his playing career. This makes him the first active Indian cricketer to permanently base himself at the Centre rather than visiting only for rehabilitation or national camps.
Pandya, who is recovering from a quadriceps injury, has spent much of the past 6 months at the Centre of Excellence after being ruled out of India’s ongoing white-ball tour of the United Kingdom. Reports suggest that frequent travel from his Lower Parel residence in Mumbai to training facilities had become difficult, prompting the move to Bengaluru. The report also states that Pandya will work with his own physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach alongside the Centre’s facilities.
Whenever he requires additional batting practice, including sessions against net bowlers arranged by the Centre, he reportedly pays those expenses himself. His rehabilitation is still in progress after taking a short break for personal reasons. He is expected to return to the Centre soon. However, his availability for the upcoming 3-match T20I series against Zimbabwe will depend on completing the Return to Play protocols and being declared fully fit.