Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has shifted his base to Bengaluru, aiming to make the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) his permanent training home for the remainder of his career. The 32-year-old becomes the first prominent current India cricketer to make such a move, with central contract holders typically visiting the CoE only for rehabilitation, fitness tests or national camps.

Though Pandya hails from Baroda in Gujarat, he has spent most of the last decade living in Mumbai and training primarily at Mumbai Indians' facility in Ghansoli. The all-rounder, who is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury that has kept him out of India's recent white-ball assignments, has spent considerable time at the COE over the past six months.

“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 source was quoted as saying by Business Standard.

The Mumbaikar-turned-Bengaluru resident had reportedly grown weary of the daily commute from his Lower Parel home for training, a factor that played into the decision.

"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 source added.

It is understood that Pandya will also have his own physiotherapist and a personal strength and conditioning coach to assist his training routines outside the CoE.

"It is like shifting his base to Bengaluru as long as he plays white-ball cricket for India, and he intends to play for at least another five to six years. Even when he does skill work, such as batting against net bowlers hired by the CoE, Hardik pays them from his own pocket," the source added.

What's next for Hardik Pandya's comeback?

Pandya's rehabilitation is still ongoing. He took a short break for personal work and is expected to return to the COE in the next day or two. It remains unclear whether he will be picked for India's three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, scheduled for July 23, 25 and 26 in Harare immediately after the England tour should he be declared fit through the return-to-play protocols.