Karnataka batting stalwart Karun Nair credited his success to coach Rahul Dravid. Nair and Dravid shared the same dressing room at both Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL.
Nair came into the international reckoning with his epic triple ton against England during the Chennai Test match in 2016.
There was no stopping for Nair, who came in at number six and smashed 303 at a brisk pace to make the Three Lions chase leather at Chepauk Stadium.
However, an uneventful series against Australia in 2017, forced Nair out of the playing XI. A lean patch in domestic as well as franchise cricket has kept Nair out of favour in the Indian squad.
“I think he (Rahul Dravid) has played a big role in me becoming the cricketer that I am today because he was the one who gave me the opportunity in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals. For a legend like him to show so much faith and trust in a domestic cricketer like me, was really satisfying,” Nair was quoted by IANS.
“It was a wake-up call to tell me, that I do belong in the IPL. I can play in the IPL. It was really encouraging, and a confidence boost for me, to get an opportunity under him,” the Karnataka batsman added.
India posted a mammoth 759 in the Chennai Test on the back of stellar contributions from the two Karnataka prodigies in the team – Karun Nair and KL Rahul.
Rahul was unfortunate to miss out on his double hundred by just one run. It was a proud day for Karnataka cricket as the two added 161 runs for the fifth wicket.
“Me and Rahul we started cricket together at under-13. We know each other for a really long time, close to 20 years. We share that bond. We understand each other’s games,” Nair commented on batting with Rahul in the memorable Test match for the Karnataka duo.
“When I went into bat we were four wickets down for 250. Rahul was there so it was kind of a relief for me. He was already on 100, so I wanted to settle down and stitch a big partnership with Rahul. Unluckily for him he got out for 199, but he has really played a lot of good knocks after that,” concluded Nair.
