Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sharad Pawar, speaking exclusively to rediff.com over telephone, said he was initially "surprised and shocked" at Rahul Dravid's decision to resign from the Indian captaincy.
"India has just won a Test series on the English soil under Dravid's captaincy after a shade over two decades. We didn't do badly in the following one-day series, too. So, naturally, anyone has reason to be taken aback by Dravid's sudden decision," said Pawar on Friday.
"However, after what Dravid explained to me about his captaincy and his batting, and considering his undoubted sincerity and commitment throughout his remarkable career, I think we must respect his decision."
The BCCI president added: "Dravid told me he had no problems whatsoever with captaincy or with any member of the team because of the leadership. It's just that Dravid wants to concentrates totally on his batting and wants to give chance to a younger player to lead the side."
Asked if he tried to persuade Dravid to rethink about his decision to relinquish the captaincy, Pawar replied in the negative.
"He sounded very honest and genuine in his intention. He said he was happy leading the national side for a couple of years. So there was no question of persuading him to continue. I didn't get to interact with him longer and discuss the matter in detail. Maybe, he wants to go on a winning note, as India has just beaten England in the Test rubber," remarked Pawar.
"I've always felt Dravid has led from the front. He has been a source of inspiration both as a batsman and as captain. Besides proving his mettle as a captain in the recent series in England, he has done well against South Africa and other countries also. He built a very good and balanced Team India with the limited resources at his command. He instilled a new dose of confidence in the side and earned respect of his colleagues, seniors and juniors alike."
Asked whether the BCCI would fall back on Sourav Ganguly or Sachin Tendulkar to replace Dravid at the helm, Pawar replied: "I don't take such decisions. It isn't my job. The selection committee is there to appoint the new captain. So the selectors will discuss the matter and appoint the new captain for Team India in due course of time."