Although Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is currently nursing an injury and gearing for a comeback at the earliest, he has taken a huge step to play in the 2027 World Cup and keep himself in good stead for the LA Olympics in 2028 too. In a massive development, the seam-bowling all-rounder has reportedly become the first prominent Indian cricketer to make BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru is training base for the remainder of his career.
Why did Hardik Pandya shift his training base to the Centre of Excellence?
The 32-year-old, who is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury that has ruled him out of the England tour, has spent a considerable amount of time. With a view to extend his career, Pandya has now bought a property in Bengaluru and will spend his time training at COE whenever not playing IPL, state or international cricket. A BCCI source told PTI the below:
“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. 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 star all-rounder will reportedly have his own physiotherapist and a personal strength and conditioning (S&C) coach to help him with his training drills.
When is Hardik Pandya expected to next play for Team India?
Meanwhile, the star cricketer is next expected to play for India in September when the West Indies tour India for ODIs and T20Is. With Pandya unlikely to be included for the Zimbabwe tour next and not in the squad for the Asian Games 2026 either, his likely comeback should be against the Caribbeans.
Pandya also largely struggled in IPL 2026 for the Mumbai Indians despite an excellent performance in the Men in Blue’s second straight T20 World Cup victory.
