Never thought I'd get to play under Dhoni: Karun Nair

NEW DELHI: Being named in India's ODI and Twenty20 international squads for the first time has left Karun Nair pleasantly surprised, but it is the chance to play under MS Dhoni that has left the Karnataka batsman elated.

Nair's name was one of five uncapped players that the BCCI selectors penciled in for next month's tour of Zimbabwe comprising three ODIs and three T20Is - Yuzvendra Chahal, Jayant Yadav, Faiz Fazal and Mandeep Singh the others - while resting almost all the regular players.His inclusion comes after he scored 347 runs at an average of 35.70 and strike-rate of 120.20, with three half-centuries, for Delhi Daredevils in the ongoing IPL.
"You have it at the back of your mind when you are scoring runs, but its still a surprise when you get that call," Nair told TOI Sports. "I won't lie and say I did not think about it, because I feel I've been batting well for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, which was an extension of the form I had in the past domestic season. But to see your name in India's squad is a great feeling. I am especially happy because I will get the chance to play under MS Dhoni, hopefully, which I never expected. That is a real honour and I am really looking forward to it. He is a legend."
Nair, 24, has enjoyed success for Karnataka in domestic cricket, establishing himself in his debut season (2013-14) with three successive hundreds as the team won the Ranji Trophy. The next season, he scored a triple-hundred in the final as Karnataka defended their crowd. Success for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL prompted the owners of Daredevils to spend Rs 4 crore on him this year and the result was Nair ending second on the franchise's run charts this season.
"It was a good IPL, personally, though I feel I let a few opportunities slide. Scoring runs in pressure situations against quality teams featuring international players is a big satisfaction. However, it is most disappointing that we didn't manage to qualify for the IPL playoffs," said Nair.
Nair has previously been a part of the Test squad that went to Sri Lanka last year, but now stands a good chance of making a debut in Zimbabwe with so many regular players rested.
"This is a great opportunity and I am ready to do whatever it takes to win, I'm really confident and hungry to succeed in Zimbabwe," he said. "I feel I am ready for any format, to be honest. The technical aspect, the mental aspect, its all feeling good. The success I've had in domestic cricket has given me a lot of confidence and now doing well in the IPL is a boost, because the IPL is no less than an international tournament with so many big players involved."
India's tour of Zimbabwe comprises three ODIs on June 11, 13 and 15 and three T20Is on June 18, 20 and 22, all to be played at the Harare Sports Club.