Top 3 cricketers who moved to a new city

Hardik Pandya has been making waves in public media after his shift to Bangalore to remain closer to the BCCI’s Centre for Excellence (CoE) in order to manage injuries.

Throughout the history of cricket, players have moved cities, towns, states or even countries for different reasons. Be they players who are settling themselves after a gruelling playing career, or players who are moving across towns to search for better opportunities for the success of their careers, or even players switching countries for better international opportunities, multiple instances have been seen where players have changed their localities and settings for better prospects.

Here are the top three cricketers who moved to a new city: 

3. Virat Kohli (New Delhi to Mumbai to London)

The Indian talisman’s move to London with his family has been the subject of much public discourse, drawing substantial amounts of praise, criticism and trolls. Virat Kohli has wanted to maintain a life outside the public eye, which is a significant reason for the player’s move to the English shores. The celebrity culture in India can be quite imposing, and with the way Kohli has managed to keep his children and private life out of the public eye, his decision feels warranted.

Despite the distance, Kohli has remained focused on Indian cricket, shifting across the countries for ODI series and the IPL. He also has been active figure in domestic cricket, appearing for his local team Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy last season. He has been spotted practising while in London as well, reaffirming his commitment to the sport and the teams he represents, despite the distance.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Bhadohi to Mumbai)

Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s back story is one of struggle and determination. Born in Suriyawan, Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, Jaiswal moved to Mumbai aged 10 to pursue his dream as a cricketer. His dire condition without accommodation saw him stay in a tent with the groundsman at the venue and reportedly also worked at a Panipuri stall to make ends meet. He was finally scouted in late 2013 by coach Jwala Singh, from where his ascent began.

Jaiswal has been churning out runs across age-group cricket and has now become a young sensation and a player who is expected to carry on the torch for the future generation. He has established himself as a regular in India’s Test side and has scored two centuries in ODI cricket. He plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and is also the vice-captain for the franchise.

1. Hardik Pandya (Baroda to Mumbai to Bengaluru)

Hardik Pandya‘s move to Bangalore has come as a surprise, with the reason being the proximity to the BCCI CoE. Pandya has had a concerning injury record, with multiple back injuries, among others, derailing his progress. The proximity to the CoE would help him with his rehab as the Men in Blue enter a key phase with their preparation for the ODI World Cup in 2027.

Pandya is still one of the top fast-bowling all-rounders, and the rarity of his profile, an all-phase hit-the-deck bowler that can finish games with the bat, means his addition to the team would be a massive boost in terms of strength and balance. He is still India’s main all-rounder, and the sooner he returns to full fitness, the better and more options it provides for the team