India all round Hardik Pandya moved to Bengaluru for a major project, opting for production BCCI‘s Center of Excellence (COE) its foundation for future learning. The decision makes Pandya the first Indian cricketer to stay close to the COE, a facility that has been used by players with major contracts for injury rehabilitation, fitness testing and team camps rather than a regular training ground. Pandya, who hails from Baroda in Gujarat, has spent the past decade living in Mumbai, where he studied at the Mumbai Indians center in Ghansoli. However, the 32-year-old has now moved to Bengaluru after spending a lot of time at COE in the last six months recovering from a quadriceps injury. The injury ruled him out of India’s ongoing white-ball tour of the UK, and he continues to rehabilitate. “Hardik it has already moved to Bengaluru. He has rented a place outside the city, near the COE. He will be the first Indian cricketer to make COE his training ground for the rest of the season,” a BCCI source told PTI. According to the source, the move was driven by opportunity and access to world-class facilities. “Hardik wanted to leave Mumbai as commuting every day from his Lower Parel residence to study was a problem. As a middle-cooperation cricketer, he has access to every area of ​​the COE, from injury management to skill training. “Hence, he decided to make COE his permanent residence whenever he is away from the IPL, state or national,” said the source. Pandya is also expected to have a dedicated support team in Bengaluru, including his physiotherapist and a strength and conditioning (S&C) coach, to oversee his training outside the COE. The source added that the Indian vice-captain wants to continue playing international cricket for a few more years. “It is like shifting his base to Bengaluru as long as he is playing clean cricket in India, and he wants to play for another five to six years. “Even when he does professional work, like hitting the net bowlers hired by the COE, Hardik pays from his own pocket,” the source added. Pandya’s renovation work is still in progress. He recently took some time off to volunteer and is expected to return to the Center of Excellence in the next few days to begin 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 fit.
