Hardik Pandya back bowling in the nets

In what could be encouraging news for India ahead of their virtual do-or-die clash against New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup ‘Super 12’ game on October 31, all-rounder Hardik Pandya could return to bowling duties against the Kane Williamson-led side after he was seen rolling his arm over in the nets on Friday morning.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) posted a short video of India’s nets session where the 28-year-old, while not bowling at full tilt, was seen rolling his arm over and sending down at least half-a-dozen deliveries.

Pandya’s bowling has taken a back seat since he underwent a back surgery in 2018. In fact, during his Indian Premier League (IPL) duties in the Dubai leg, he has only played as a batter.

His bowling workloads were steadily increased during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July, where he bowled 16 overs across three ODIs and a T20I. However, he did not bowl at all for the Mumbai Indians in the second half of the Indian Premier League season in Dubai.

Pandya did not bowl in India’s tournament-opening 10-wicket loss against Pakistan either, although, he was off the field for the entirety of the innings after hurting his shoulder while batting.