India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya moved to Bengaluru in a significant career move, choosing to make the BCCI:‘s Center of Excellence (COE) will be his main training base for the foreseeable future. The decision makes Pandya the first active, high-profile Indian cricketer to permanently base himself near the COE, a facility traditionally used by centrally contracted players for injury rehabilitation, fitness testing and national team camps rather than a full-time training hub. Pandya, who hails from Baroda in Gujarat, spent most of the last decade living in Mumbai, where he mainly trained at the Mumbai Indians facility in Ghansoli. However, the 32-year-old has now moved to Bengaluru after spending a lot of time at the COE in the last six months while recovering from a quadriceps injury. The injury ruled him out of India’s ongoing white-ball tour of the UK, and he continues rehabilitation. “Hardik: has moved permanently to Bengaluru. He rents a property outside the city, near the COE. He will be the first Indian cricketer to make COE his permanent training base for the rest of his career,” a BCCI source told PTI. According to the source, the move is driven by convenience and access to world-class facilities. “Hardik wanted to leave Mumbai because commuting every day from his residence in Lower Parel for training was becoming a problem. As a centrally-contracted cricketer, he has access to every facility at the COE, from injury management to skills training. “Hence, he has decided to make COE his permanent base when he is away on IPL, state or national duty,” said the source. Pandya is also expected to have a dedicated support team in Bengaluru, including his own physiotherapist and a personal strength and conditioning (S&C) coach, to oversee his training outside the COE. The source added that the Indian vice-captain intends to continue playing international white-ball cricket for many years. “It is like shifting his base to Bengaluru as long as he plays white-ball cricket for India, and he wants to play at least five to six years. “Even when he does skills, like batting against net bowlers hired by the COE, Hardik pays them from his own pocket,” added the source. Pandya’s rehabilitation program continues. He recently took a short break for personal commitments and is expected to return to the Center of Excellence within the next few days to continue his recovery. His availability for India’s three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which follows the UK tour, remains uncertain. The decision on his selection will depend on whether he successfully completes the BCCI’s Return-to-Play protocols and is declared fully fit.