When reports emerged that Hardik Pandya had shifted his training base from Mumbai to Bengaluru, it felt like a significant move for one of India’s biggest cricket stars. But in reality, it reflects a trend that has been gathering momentum for years. The Indian all-rounder is believed to use the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) his base when not on national or IPL duty, hoping to better manage recurring injuries and prolong his career. In doing so, Pandya joins a growing list of elite Indian athletes who increasingly see Bengaluru not just as a rehabilitation destination, but as the country’s premier high-performance sporting hub.The reasons are straightforward: year-round pleasant weather, world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge sports science, and an ecosystem designed to let athletes focus solely on performance.‘The perfect conditions to train’For PV Sindhu, who moved to Bengaluru last year, the city checks every box. “For training, Bengaluru makes a lot of sense. The weather is really, really good. You can train comfortably through the year,” she tells us. Living close to her training base has simplified her routine, while the Centre for Sports Excellence gives her access to training, recovery and fitness facilities under one roof. “The sporting culture here is very good. I see school kids coming here every day. For youngsters, it’s an amazing experience.”That sporting culture is something Smriti Mandhana has experienced for years. Long before becoming one of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s biggest stars, she spent weeks in the city attending national camps at the NCA. “There’s something about the city—the weather, the greenery, the overall vibe. Now, when I land at the airport and people say, ‘Welcome back home,’ it really feels like a second home,” she tells us.‘An ecosystem built for performance’Beyond the weather, Bengaluru’s biggest advantage lies in its integrated sporting ecosystem. Elite coaches, physiotherapists, recovery specialists, nutritionists and high-performance centres are all within easy reach — something increasingly important for athletes managing packed international calendars. That’s exactly what tennis legend Rohan Bopanna believes India needs more of.Speaking about his academy in Bengaluru, he says, “The focus is on developing players who can compete globally.” His vision is simple: “Coaching, physios, recovery centres, fitness experts and accommodation — everything in one place. That’s how players save time and energy.”‘From training base to second home’Many athletes admit they initially came to Bengaluru for sport but stayed because of the city itself. Indian football captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu moved here nearly nine years ago. “It was my first choice. Not just because of the club, but because of the city. Even today, when people ask me where home is, I say Bengaluru.” Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri shares a similar story. “The first choice was not to settle here. It was more for the club. They explained how they wanted to run a club in a proper, professional way. I followed my gut. Within a couple of years, I realised this was an amazing place. Every year, my love for the club and the city grew. And suddenly, it’s been 13 years.” Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who regularly trains here during national camps, echoes that sentiment. “I come to Bengaluru quite often now. I really enjoy being here and training. The weather is always pleasant, and the people here are wonderful,” he tells us.‘A sporting culture decades in the making’Cue sports legend Pankaj Advani has watched Bengaluru evolve into one of India’s foremost sporting cities. He believes the city’s greatest strength lies in its infrastructure. “Even athletes settled elsewhere come and spend weeks or months training here. People now see sport as a career option. Every sport has grown tremendously,” he says.Hardik Pandya’s reported move, then, is less the beginning of a new trend than its latest endorsement. For India’s elite athletes, Bengaluru has evolved from being a city they visit to train into one they increasingly choose to call home.Why athletes choose BengaluruPleasant weather for year-round trainingHome to the BCCI’s Centre of ExcellenceWorld-class coaching and sports science supportHigh-performance recovery and rehabilitation facilitiesStrong multi-sport ecosystemA city many elite athletes now proudly call home
