Hardik Pandya News: Major decision by Hardik Pandya for his career; why has he shifted base from Mumbai to Bengaluru; BCCI Centre of Excellence to be his new training hub
Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has made a significant decision regarding the next phase of his career. Aiming to maintain peak fitness and play for the Indian team for the long haul, he has decided to relocate his permanent training base.
According to reports, Hardik will now reside in Bengaluru instead of Mumbai. Whenever he is not occupied with commitments for the Indian team, the IPL, or domestic cricket, he will train regularly at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (COE).
This is believed to be the first major instance of an active senior Indian cricketer establishing this high-performance facility as their permanent training base during their career. This move will provide him with consistent access to state-of-the-art facilities for fitness, recovery, and technical training—all in one location.
Fitness is considered the primary reason behind the move from Mumbai to Bengaluru
Hardik Pandya had been living in Mumbai for several years, but constant travel and the long daily commutes required for training were becoming a challenge. Consequently, he has rented a residence near the Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru. This will eliminate the need for a daily commute to training, allowing him to dedicate more time to his fitness. As a centrally contracted BCCI player, he will have access to all the modern amenities offered by the center.
Access to everything from recovery to skill training in one location
The Centre of Excellence provides world-class facilities for injury recovery, fitness improvement, strength building, and technical training. Hardik will regularly participate in specialized sessions covering batting, bowling, fitness, and rehabilitation at the facility. According to reports, he will continue working with his personal physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach to ensure there are no lapses in his training and recovery.
Aiming to play white-ball cricket for India for the next five to six years
Reports indicate that Hardik Pandya aims to play limited-overs cricket for the Indian team for the next five to six years. With this in mind, he has tailored his entire training regimen to be fitness-centric. It is reported that when bowlers are provided by the Centre of Excellence for net sessions, Hardik often pays for them himself; this clearly demonstrates that he is unwilling to compromise on his preparation.
Rehabilitation ongoing; return for the Zimbabwe tour not yet confirmed
Hardik Pandya is currently undergoing his recovery process. After taking a brief break for personal reasons, he will soon report back to the Centre of Excellence to complete his rehabilitation program. A final decision regarding his return for India's T20 tour of Zimbabwe has not yet been made. Selectors will decide on his availability only after he successfully completes the BCCI's 'return-to-play' protocols.
A major step towards a long international career with a focus on fitness
Cricket experts believe that this decision by Hardik Pandya could prove pivotal for his career. Having battled recurring injuries, he has prioritized fitness above all else. If he remains fully fit, his role within the Indian team could become even more crucial in the coming years. Making the Bengaluru-based Centre of Excellence his permanent training base is seen as part of this long-term strategy.