India batsman Suryakumar Yadav on Tuesday said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been bowling regularly as the team prepares for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka which begins with the ODI series from July 13.

Hardik has in recent times stuck to playing as a finisher for India and his Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians as he has been rehabbing from his back surgery. However, he did bowl in the white-ball series against England in March.

Suryakumar mentioned that Hardik bowling in the nets is good for Team India, but he was quick to add that whether the all-rounder will bowl in the Sri Lanka series depends on what the team management decides.

SL v IND 2021: Suryakumar Yadav looking to 'start from scratch' against SL despite memorable debut

"He did bowl in the T20Is against England, even in the ODIs, he bowled. But yeah, during IPL he didn't bowl and that was on team management and Hardik as they know their responsibility really well so they were taking the call.

But here in the intra-squad game he did bowl, also in the nets he is bowling, so it is his and team management's call how they want to go about it, but yes he is bowling, and it's very good sign," Suryakumar said during a virtual press conference.

Shikhar Dhawan will be captaining India in the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar named as his deputy. NCA head Rahul Dravid will be coaching the team on the tour.

(ANI inputs)