Hardik Pandya Relocates to Bengaluru; Makes BCCI Centre of Excellence His Permanent Training Base

Sports Bureau, Bangalore Mail

July 1, 2026

BENGALURU: In a major development for Indian cricket, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has officially shifted his base to Bengaluru. In doing so, he has become the first prominent Indian cricketer to make the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (COE) his permanent training ground for the remainder of his career.

Pandya, who had been sidelined from India’s white-ball tour of the United Kingdom due to a serious injury, spent the last six months undergoing rehabilitation at the Bengaluru facility. Recognizing the world-class infrastructure and the immense support he received during his recovery, the cricketer has chosen to settle close to the venue that helped him get back on his feet.

According to an official BCCI report, the all-rounder has already rented a property on the outskirts of the city to drastically cut down his daily travel time.

“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,” a BCCI report confirmed.

Moving Out of Mumbai

For years, Pandya called Mumbai his primary home, owning a luxurious 8-BHK apartment in Khar West alongside multiple rented spaces in the premium Lower Parel area. However, the daily logistics of commuting through Mumbai’s notorious traffic for training proved to be an obstacle to his stringent fitness regime.

A source close to the developments revealed that Pandya originally considered commuting from Lower Parel but eventually realized it wasn’t sustainable.

“Hardik wanted to move out of Mumbai as commuting every day from his Lower Parel residence for training had become a problem,” the source stated. “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.”

Eyeing the Future

The move highlights Pandya’s long-term commitment to prolonged peak performance. The source added that the all-rounder intends to play white-ball cricket for India for at least another five to six years and views Bengaluru as the ideal anchor for this chapter. Demonstrating his dedication, Pandya is even reportedly paying out of his own pocket to hire local net bowlers for specialized batting sessions at the facility.

With the move finalized, all eyes are now on his recovery timeline. Fans and selectors alike are waiting for medical updates to see if the dynamic player will feature in the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, scheduled right on the heels of India’s UK tour. For now, Namma Bengaluru warmly welcomes its newest high-profile resident.