SA vs IND 2022: Deepak Chahar’s ability with the bat gives us a lot more options, says Rahul Dravid

India’s head coach Rahul Dravid has heaped praise on Deepak Chahar after the fast bowler impressed with his performance in the third ODI against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Sunday.

Dravid believes Chahar’s ability with the bat will give them a lot more options.

Chahar played his first match of the tour as replaced out-of-form Bhuvneshwar Kumar and returned with impressive figures of 2-53 in his 10 overs. Meanwhile, India was down and out in the run-chase of 288 runs at 223-7 however Deepak Chahar kept the visitors in the run-chase as he scored a quickfire knock of 34-ball 54.

Chahar took the attack against the South African bowlers and he was dismissed when only 10 runs were required for the win. The right-hander was absolutely livid with himself after he was dismissed by Lungisani Ngidi in the 48th over of the run-chase.

In fact, Chahar had also scored a match-winning knock of unbeaten 69 runs off 82 balls in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in 2021. Thus, Chahar has certainly shown the right skills with the bat and can add value to the team while batting down the order.

“I mean Deepak Chahar has shown in the opportunities he has gotten with us in Sri Lanka and over here well, he has got some really good ability with the bat. We know what he can do with the ball as well. I have seen him at India A as well and I know he can bat really well so certainly gives us a lot more options,” Dravid told reporters on Sunday after India’s four-run defeat in the third ODI on Sunday.

On the other hand, Shardul Thakur has also impressed with his ability to contribute with the bat. Thakur has also scored crucial runs while batting in the lower order and did a good job on the South African tour.

“It is nice to have people like him and Shardul Thakur as well, who we have seen in the last couple of games, contribute with the bat as well. So, obviously, the more and more players like this who can contribute lower down certainly makes a big difference and give us more options.

“Certainly, we would like to give Deepak more games along with Shardul and lot of other people who can step up in the course of next year or so and give us depth in the side,” said Dravid.

It is crucial in the modern era that bowlers can contribute with the bat and vice-versa. India has potent all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya and their return with certainly give a boost to the team.

India will next host West Indies in white-ball format.