Hardik Pandya takes unprecedented step to tackle injury concerns, shifts base to Bengaluru

Bengaluru: In a significant career move, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has shifted his training base from Mumbai to Bengaluru, where he will now train full-time at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (COE).

The decision is being viewed as an unprecedented step by an active centrally contracted Indian cricketer, with Pandya hoping the world-class facilities at the COE will help him better manage his recurring injury problems and prolong his international career.

A long-term commitment to fitness

Pandya has endured multiple injury setbacks over the past few years, with concerns over his fitness affecting his availability across formats. Most recently, he missed India's ODI series against Afghanistan and was ruled out of the England tour after suffering a quadriceps injury during rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence.

Determined to avoid similar setbacks in the future, the 32-year-old has now made Bengaluru his permanent training base, allowing him to work closely with the BCCI's sports science, rehabilitation and strength-and-conditioning experts throughout the year.

Why the move is unique

Traditionally, centrally contracted Indian cricketers use the Centre of Excellence primarily for injury rehabilitation, fitness assessments or national training camps before international assignments.

Pandya's decision to relocate permanently is considered unusual because he will now train at the facility on a day-to-day basis rather than visiting only during rehabilitation periods. The all-rounder, who hails from Baroda, had spent much of the past decade based in Mumbai, where he trained extensively at the Mumbai Indians' facilities.

Eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup

The move underlines Pandya's ambition to remain a key figure in India's white-ball setup over the coming years. With the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup firmly in his sights, the all-rounder is looking to improve workload management and reduce the risk of recurring injuries.

His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him one of India's most valuable limited-overs players, but injuries have frequently interrupted his career, limiting his appearances in major bilateral series and ICC tournaments.

State-of-the-art support

The BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is equipped with advanced sports science infrastructure, including biomechanics analysis, physiotherapy, rehabilitation facilities and customised strength and conditioning programmes.

By training there throughout the year, Pandya is expected to receive continuous monitoring of his workload, fitness and recovery, enabling him to prepare more effectively for domestic and international assignments.

The decision reflects a growing emphasis on sports science in elite cricket and could set a precedent for other players dealing with long-term fitness challenges. Whether more Indian cricketers adopt a similar approach remains to be seen, but Pandya's move signals his determination to maximise his longevity at the highest level.