Hardik Pandya quits Mumbai, picks Bengaluru as new training base

Hardik Pandya has made a major decision by leaving Mumbai and shifting his training base to Bengaluru. The India all-rounder has reportedly rented a place near the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (COE) and plans to use the facility as his permanent training base whenever he is away from competitive cricket. He is believed to be the first active India cricketer to make such a long-term move.

The decision comes after Pandya was ruled out of India's 2026 tour of England due to injury. While his move has sparked fresh speculation among fans, it is not related to any IPL trade or franchise plans. Instead, the 32-year-old is focusing on his fitness, rehabilitation and long-term preparation for international cricket.

Unlike most centrally contracted Indian players, who visit the Centre of Excellence only for injury rehabilitation, fitness tests or national camps, Pandya reportedly plans to train there throughout the year. The move highlights his commitment to managing his fitness as he aims to extend his career and remain a key player for India in white-ball cricket.

MI star's surprise relocation sparks speculation — is this linked to his future with the franchise?

Hardik Pandya's decision to shift from Mumbai to Bengaluru has sparked speculation about his future with Mumbai Indians. However, the move is not related to his IPL franchise. Although Pandya has spent most of the last decade living in Mumbai and training at Mumbai Indians' facility in Ghansoli, his relocation is purely aimed at improving his training and recovery.

The 32-year-old is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury that ruled him out of India's white-ball tour of the UK. According to PTI, Pandya has rented a house near the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru to avoid the daily commute from his Lower Parel residence in Mumbai. Living close to the facility will give him year-round access to medical support, fitness training and cricket-specific resources.

A BCCI source told PTI that Pandya has made Bengaluru his permanent training base for the remainder of his career whenever he is not on national, IPL or domestic duty. The source added that frequent visits to the Centre of Excellence because of his injuries influenced the decision. The move reflects Pandya's focus on managing his fitness and extending his international career rather than any change in his IPL future.

From Mumbai gyms to Bengaluru turf — Inside Hardik Pandya's new fitness and training setup

Hardik Pandya's new routine will combine the facilities at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence with his own support team. According to PTI, the India all-rounder will continue to work with his personal physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach alongside the COE's medical and training staff. This setup is expected to help him manage his workload more effectively after several injury setbacks in recent years.

A BCCI source told PTI that Pandya is fully committed to extending his international career through this new training plan. "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 said.

Pandya's rehabilitation is still ongoing, and he is expected to return to the Centre of Excellence after a short personal break. His availability for India's upcoming assignments will depend on when he completes the BCCI's Return-to-Play protocols. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, this new training setup could play a key role in keeping him fit for the biggest tournaments ahead.

Fans react as Pandya's base shift fuels transfer talk ahead of IPL 2027

Hardik Pandya's move to Bengaluru quickly became a major talking point among cricket fans on social media. Many supporters wondered whether the decision was linked to his future with Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027. However, there is no indication that the move has anything to do with an IPL transfer or a change of franchise.

The speculation grew because Pandya has spent most of his IPL career living and training in Mumbai. His decision to shift to Bengaluru surprised many fans, leading to several rumours about a possible move to another team. However, reports have made it clear that the relocation is only for his fitness, rehabilitation and long-term training.

As things stand, Hardik remains a Mumbai Indians player, and there has been no official confirmation of any trade discussions. His move to Bengaluru is aimed at improving his fitness and extending his international career, while fans will now wait to see when he returns to competitive cricket.