Karun Nair Credits The Stint With Rahul Dravid For His Success

Even after retiring as a player of the game, Rahul Dravid has continued to contribute massively to the game. The right-handed batsman Karun Nair has been instrumental in assisting upcoming talents to raise their game to the international level. Karnataka batting mainstay has specifically credited Rahul Dravid for his successful stint in domestic cricket.

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Rahul Dravid, often known as the Wall, was a significant figure in India’s Test team for more than a decade. The Karnataka batsman’s grit and determination in the crease led to that nickname, having given plenty of good bowlers headaches during his playing days. After retiring from the game, Dravid indulged in grooming candidates for international cricket. Players like Shubman Gill were also under his wings, having made rapid progress in the domestic circuit.

Karun Nair Credits The Stint With Rahul Dravid For His Success:

Meanwhile, Karun Nair, who shot into the limelight with a triple-hundred against England in 2016 in Chennai, admitted that the 47-year old had a huge role to play in his progress. Nair claimed that it was the former Test batting giant, who allowed him the opportunity to play for Rajasthan Royals and that it was an honour for someone like him to show such faith.

Furthermore, for the youngster, it instilled the self-belief in him that he belonged to that level. It acted as the confidence-boosting step for him, to get a chance to play under him.

“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. 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.” Nair spoke of the 164-Test veteran as quoted by IANS.

On playing alongside KL Rahul for India:

The triple-centurion from that match also shared a stand of 161 with KL Rahul, belonging to Karnataka too. India catapulted to a massive total of 759, led by Nair’s 303 and Rahul’s 199. The 28-year old opened up by saying that the pair started together at the Under-13 level and understand each other’s style of play.

Karun recalled that it was a relief to see Rahul at the other end when going to bat at number six. The Jodhpur-born felt sad as his partner missed narrowly on a well-deserved double-hundred, but hailed him for his recent achievements. Despite staying out of the Test team for more than a year now, Karun Nair remains consistent in first-class cricket.

“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. 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.” he added.

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