Watch: Hardik Pandya back bowling in the nets

While it wasn't at full tilt, the 28-year-old resuming net bowling is a step in the right direction for both him and the Indian team.

In the team for his all-round abilities for the majority of his career, Pandya’s bowling has taken a back seat since requiring back surgery in 2018.

His bowling workloads were steadily increasing 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 loss against Pakistan either, although, he was off the field for the entirety of the innings after hurting his shoulder while batting.

Speaking ahead of India’s first game against Pakistan, captain Virat Kohli said Pandya was on course to bowl at the tournament.

“I honestly feel that Hardik Pandya presently with his physical condition is getting better in terms of being prepared to bowl at least two overs for us at a certain stage in this tournament,” Kohli said.

India next play on Sunday against New Zealand, with both teams desperate for points after each losing their first fixture against Pakistan.