'Dravid has been a great influence'

One of Karnataka’s most consistent performers in their last two Ranji Trophy triumphs, young batsman Karun Nair received a pleasant surprise late last week when he was asked to join the Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka.

Nair, just 23 years old and among the current crop of talented young batsmen in the country, had his first net session with the national team at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground on Tuesday. “It’s a dream come true for me, like any Indian cricketer it is a dream to play for your country so I was really excited to be part of this team. And I am looking forward to every opportunity that I get. I am just living the moment and trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”

Nair felt working with Rahul Dravid in Rajasthan Royals and the India ‘A’ side has worked wonders to his confidence. “I think he has been a great influence for me and 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 has a lot of positive words for me and he hasn’t changed too much of my technique. He has just been giving the right confidence that a young player needs. He doesn’t talk much, doesn’t get into details much, he lets you play the way you have been playing all your life. He gives you the freedom to go there and express yourself.”

Nair felt it was easier to walk in to a dressing room that his Karnataka team-mates KL Rahul and Stuart Binny for company. “It’s great to be with them because 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, even Varun (Aaron), I know him really well. And Virat (Kohli) came to Chennai for the India ‘A’ game 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.”