<p>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 on Sunday.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>"We have quality in the main bowlers, but you need an option for a 6th bowler," he added.</p>.<p>India play Pakistan in their opening match in Dubai on Sunday.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/india-looks-to-fix-batting-order-in-final-t20-wc-warm-up-game-against-australia-1042019.html" target="_blank">India looks to fix batting order in final T20 WC warm-up game against Australia</a></strong></p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>Besides Kohli, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were also rested from Wednesday's warm-up game.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>"We wanted to bat first as well, just wanted to try and get runs on the board."</p>.<p>India had beaten England by seven wickets in their first warm-up game on Monday, riding on a 24-ball 51 from KL Rahul. </p>
<p>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 on Sunday.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>"We have quality in the main bowlers, but you need an option for a 6th bowler," he added.</p>.<p>India play Pakistan in their opening match in Dubai on Sunday.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/india-looks-to-fix-batting-order-in-final-t20-wc-warm-up-game-against-australia-1042019.html" target="_blank">India looks to fix batting order in final T20 WC warm-up game against Australia</a></strong></p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>Besides Kohli, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were also rested from Wednesday's warm-up game.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>"We wanted to bat first as well, just wanted to try and get runs on the board."</p>.<p>India had beaten England by seven wickets in their first warm-up game on Monday, riding on a 24-ball 51 from KL Rahul. </p>