Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya moved to Bengaluru with the intention of making the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) his permanent training base for the duration of his career, becoming the first well-known current Indian cricketer to do so.
This is a unique move because the Center of Excellence (COE) is often only visited by India’s nationally contracted players for national camps, fitness evaluations, or injury rehabilitation. Despite coming from Baroda, Gujarat, Pandya has lived in Mumbai for the most of the past ten years, training mostly at the Mumbai Indians’ Ghansoli facility.
The 32-year-old has spent a significant amount of time at the COE during the past six months while he recovers from a quadriceps injury that prevented him from participating in the current white-ball tour of the UK.
“Hardik has already permanently shifted to Bengaluru. He has rented a property on the outskirts of the city, close to the COE. He will be the first Indian cricketer to make the COE his permanent training base for the remainder of his career,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
“Hardik wanted to move out of Mumbai as commuting every day from his Lower Parel residence for training had become a problem. As a centrally-contracted cricketer, he has access to every facility at the COE, from injury management to skills training. Hence, he took the decision to make the COE his permanent base whenever he is not on IPL, state or national duty,” the source said.
It is acknowledged that Hardik will receive assistance with his training regimens outside of the COE from a personal strength and conditioning (S&C) coach and his own physiotherapist.
“It is like shifting his base to Bengaluru as long as he plays white-ball cricket for India, and he intends to play for at least another five to six years. Even when he does skill work, such as batting against net bowlers hired by the COE, Hardik pays them from his own pocket,” the source added.
Regarding his comeback, it is acknowledged that he is still undergoing rehabilitation. He is anticipated to return to the COE in a day or two after taking a few days off for personal work. However, if he is deemed fit after completing the Return-to-Play procedures, it is unclear if he will be selected for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which is set for right after the UK tour.
