India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reportedly relocated to Bengaluru, making the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) his permanent training base as he looks to extend his international career. The move makes him the first prominent current India cricketer to use the COE as his long-term training hub rather than visiting it only for rehabilitation or national camps.According to a PTI report, Pandya has rented a residence on the outskirts of Bengaluru close to the Centre of Excellence. The 32-year-old has spent much of the last six months at the facility while recovering from a quadriceps injury that ruled him out of India’s ongoing white-ball tour of the United Kingdom.Unlike most centrally contracted Indian players, who primarily train at their state associations or IPL franchises, Pandya has decided to base himself near the COE whenever he is not on national, IPL or domestic duty. A BCCI source said the all-rounder found commuting daily from his Mumbai residence inconvenient and wanted uninterrupted access to the world-class facilities available at the centre.The Centre of Excellence provides advanced medical care, injury rehabilitation, sports science support, strength and conditioning programmes, and specialised cricket training. Pandya will also reportedly work with his own physiotherapist and personal strength and conditioning coach outside official BCCI sessions. Even during individual batting practice against net bowlers arranged by the COE, the all-rounder is said to bear the expenses himself.The report added that Pandya aims to continue playing white-ball cricket for India for another five to six years and believes the move will help him maintain peak fitness.Pandya recently took a short break for personal commitments and is expected to resume his rehabilitation in Bengaluru soon. His availability for India’s upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe remains uncertain, with his selection depending on successfully completing the BCCI’s Return-to-Play protocols after receiving medical clearance.
