T20 World Cup: Hardik Should be Ready to Bowl vs Pakistan, Says Rohit Sharma
India vice-captain Rohit Sharma said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is coming along pretty well and he should be ready to bowl when the team starts its T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on 24 October.
The 34-year old Rohit is leading the team in the warm-up game against Australia as Virat Kohli has been rested. Apart from Kohli, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have also rested from Wednesday's warm-up game against Australia.
Also Read: 2021 T20 World Cup: Shardul Over Hardik? What India’s Playing XI Could Look Like
"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.
"We have quality in the main bowlers, but you need an option for a sixth bowler," he added.
Hardik's fitness is a concern for the India team heading into the tournament as he gives the much-needed balance with his all-round ability. However, his place in the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup has also been under scrutiny for a while as many former India cricketers have been questioning his inclusion just as a specialist batter as the all-rounder has not been bowling at all.
He bowled a bit during India's tour of Sri Lanka but he spent the entire UAE leg of the IPL as a specialist lower middle-order batter for Mumbai.
Also Read: Why Should India 'Boycott' Pakistan Match at T20 World Cup & Gift Them the Win?
India vice-captain also mentioned that the team is not worried about the balance but it's always nice to have more options in bowling.
"Possibly, we need to find that sixth option. Myself, Virat and Suryakumar, all those guys need to come in and bowl to see who can be that sixth option," Rohit said.
"Not really worried about the balance. Even if you play with five bowlers, we have got the quality. But always you need that sixth option to free your bowlers, in case someone has a bad day. It's always nice to have options when you're playing a tournament as big as the World Cup," he added.
India defeated ODI World Champions England by seven wickets in their first warm-up game on Monday.
(With IANS Inputs)
Also Read: India, Pakistan & WI Among Favourites for Men's T20 World Cup: Carlos Brathwaite
. Read more on Cricket by The Quint.24-Year-Old Stabbed to Death by Man Known to Her in Dwarka, Three ArrestedManchester United Owners Show Interest in Joining IPL Bandwagon: Report . Read more on Cricket by The Quint.
