Hardik Pandya Takes Unique Step To Extend His India Career

India's destructive all-rounder Hardik Pandya has decided to shift to Bengaluru and train full-time at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE), making him the first active Indian cricketer to use the facility as his permanent training base.

The move is different from the usual practice, as most centrally contracted Indian players visit the COE only during injury rehabilitation, fitness tests or national training camps.

Hardik Moves Closer to the Centre of Excellence

Although Hardik is from Baroda and has spent most of his cricket career based in Mumbai, he has now rented a home on the outskirts of Bengaluru, close to the Centre of Excellence.

According to a PTI report, the decision was taken to make training more convenient while he continues his international career.

A BCCI source as quoted by PTI said that Hardik found it difficult to travel regularly from his Mumbai home for training. Staying near the COE will allow him to make full use of the world-class facilities available to centrally contracted players whenever he is not playing for India, his state team or Mumbai Indians.

COE to Be His Main Training Hub

The report added that Hardik plans to continue training at the Centre of Excellence for the rest of his playing career.

Apart from using the COE’s medical and training facilities, he will also work with his own physiotherapist and personal strength and conditioning coach to manage his fitness.

The source further revealed that whenever Hardik wants extra batting practice, including sessions against net bowlers arranged by the COE, he pays for those sessions himself.

The all-rounder is believed to be aiming to continue playing white-ball cricket for India for another five to six years.

Recovery From Injury Still in Progress

Hardik is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury, which ruled him out of India’s ongoing white-ball tour of the United Kingdom.

He has spent a large part of the last six months at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) as part of his rehabilitation programme.

After taking a short break for personal reasons, Hardik is expected to return to Bengaluru in the next few days to continue his recovery.

It is still unclear whether he will be fit in time for India’s three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. His availability will depend on whether he completes the BCCI’s Return-to-Play process and receives medical clearance.