Camaraderie with Vijay helps our batting to flourish: Dhawan

Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan on Saturday admitted that he and his Test partner Murali Vijay share a good rapport off the field which ultimately facilitates them to perform consistently for the team.

"I have been playing with Vijay for the past three years. I really enjoy playing with him. We are also good friends off the field and it is always good to play consistently with a batsman who brings a lot of comfort. Better understanding between us comes handy when we bat together," Dhawan told reporters after Indian team's training session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Dhawan and Vijay are gradually emerging as a force to reckon with especially in the sub-continent since they collaborated in March 2013 during the Australia series.

Last year, Dhawan and Vijay became only the sixth pair in the history of Indian Test cricket to have completed 1,000 runs.

The diminutive left-hander was also effusive in his praise for legendary leg-spinner and new head coach Anil Kumble. He said: "It is a great honour to play under him. We are enjoying our camp under him. He is one of the legends of the cricket and I am sure we are going to gain a lot of experience out of him."

Dhawan also pointed out that Kumble, in his first meeting with the team, stressed on work ethics and better communication from every player.

"One thing which Kumble has taught us in this little time is that every player should converse in meeting and it shouldn't just be between captain and coach. This will bring in more ideas which will eventually benefit the team," Dhawan added.

Kumble's first assignment will commence in the Caribbean, where India will play a four-match Test series against the West Indies from July 21.