Leg-spinner Anil Kumble was appointed India's Test captain on Thursday. He succeeds Rahul Dravid who quit the post in September after the tour of England, citing personal reasons.
The 37-year-old will lead the team in the home series against Pakistan, starting on November 22, after the selectors preferred him to wicketkeeper and one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"It's a great honour to lead India. I am looking forward to the challenge," Kumble told CNN-IBN.
Kumble, who retired from One-Day cricket after the 2007 World Cup, is India's 30th Test captain since the country played its first Test in 1932. He earlier captained India in an ODI against England in 2002.
He is also the leading wicket taker in Tests for India with 566 dismissals and third in the list of leading wicket takers in Test cricket.
On Tuesday, Sachin Tendulkar declined to lead the team in Tests, saying the BCCI should look for younger players.
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