T20 World Cup 2021: Hardik Pandya expected to bowl when India's campaign begins, says Rohit Sharma

Dubai: India vice-captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to be “ready” to bowl when the team starts its T20 World Cup campaign here on Sunday. Rohit, who is leading the side in the warm-up game against Australia as Virat Kohli has been rested, said the team needs a sixth bowler during the showpiece. “Hardik is coming along pretty well, but it’ll be a while before he will start to bowl. He hasn’t started bowling, but he should be ready by the start of the tournament,” said Rohit at the toss for the warm-up match against Australia. “We have quality in the main bowlers, but you need an option for a 6th bowler,” he added. India play Pakistan in their opening match here on Sunday. Pandya’s fitness is a concern heading into the tournament as he did not bowl at all in the IPL. The team management has repeatedly stated that Pandya’s bowling is crucial for the team’s balance. Besides Kohli, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were also rested from Wednesday’s warm-up game. “We want to make sure that we get the 6th bowling option, some options in the batting order as well, we’ll try all those things today,” Rohit said. “We wanted to bat first as well, just wanted to try and get runs on the board.” India had beaten England by seven wickets in their first warm-up game on Monday, riding on a 24-ball 51 from KL Rahul.