Having spent considerable amount of time under Rahul Dravid tutelage in Rajasthan Royals as well as India A set-up, talented Karun Nair is thankful to Karnataka legend who has given him "right confidence" as he is enjoying his maiden call-up to the national squad.
"He (Dravid) has given me a lot of confidence in my batting. And he just keeps pushing me in the right way and has always been positive. He hasn't changed too much of my technique but he has just been giving the right confidence that a young player needs," Nair told at his maiden press conference for thes senior team.
"He doesn't talk much, doesn't get into details much and lets you play the way you have been playing all your life. He gives you the freedom to go there and express yourself," Nair was effusive in his praise for the former India captain.
Just like any other cricketer, getting an India call-up is a stuff of dreams for the 23-year-old Bangalore boy.
"It's a dream come true for me. For any Indian cricketer, it is a dream to play for your country so I am really excited to be part of this team. And I am looking forward to every opportunity that I get," said Nair after taking part in Wednesday's practice session.
For Nair, it is all about soaking in the atmosphere of the Indian dressing room.
"I have just had a first session, so nothing much has happened yet. But it's a great feeling to be a part of this dressing room, walk into it and talk with everyone. I spoke with Ravi Shastri and he told me to keep playing the way I have played so far and not change anything," he added.
Nair said that it would not be a problem to adjust to the new dressing room as he has played with most of them for a number of years now. KL Rahul and Stuart Binny are his statemates.
Binny along with Ajinkya Rahane has played with him for Rajasthan Royals while he recently had a reasonable partnership with Virat Kohli playing for India A.
"I have been playing with them for quite a lot of years now. It does help and I have spent time with most of them. And Virat came to Chennai for the India-A game before this tour and he has been part of RCB as well. So it's great to be part of this team and I am enjoying every part of it," he signed off.
