Rahul Dravid resigns as Team India captain

Rahul Dravid on Friday sent shock waves across the cricket fraternity by stepping down as captain of the Indian cricket team to concentrate on his batting, bringing an abrupt end to his two-year checkered tenure at the helm.

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Although the BCCI did not specify whether it had accepted the resignation or not, a top Board source said his request will be considered and the selection committee will appoint a new captain on September 18.

"Rahul Dravid met Sharad Pawar at Delhi on September 13 and expressed his desire to step down as the captain of the Indian team and requested that he should not be considered for the job from the ensuing Australia series," said a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday.

The 33-year-old Dravid assured that he would extend full co-operation to his successor and contribute as a batsman and senior player, the statement added.

BCCI president Sharad Pawar said he has forwarded Dravid's resignation to the Board."

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"He (Dravid) wants to continue playing and improve his peformance. Accepting his resignation is not in my hands; the decision rests with the selection committee, but we should respect his decision.

"I have forwarded his resignation to BCCI," Pawar said.

"Dravid told me during the recent tour of England that he wanted to step down. He said captaincy was affecting his batting and he now wants to concentrate on his game. After leading the team for two years, he wants the opportunity to go to some new person.

"Because we respect his decision, we gave the information to the media," Pawar added.