Dravid's successor to be named on Sep 18

National selectors will meet on Tuesday next to pick the successor to Rahul Dravid, who has resigned as India's cricket captain.

Although BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said efforts will be made to persuade Dravid to reconsider his decision, Selection Committee Chief Dilip Vengsarkar said a new captain will be named when the selectors meet to choose the team for the home series against Australia.

The BCCI's decision to make public Dravid's request to relinquish the captaincy is also a clear indication that the Board would respect his wish.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar said the Board would respect Dravid's wish and the selection committee would decide his successor at the appropriate time.

"He (Dravid) wants to continue playing and improve his performance. 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.

The BCCI Chief disclosed that Dravid had expressed his desire to step down from the post during the recent tour of England.

"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 (captaincy) to go to some new person," he said.

"He has made up his mind. He had discussed this issue with me twice. We should respect his views and that is why I told our Head Office to give information to the media that this communication has occurred between us," Pawar said.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah, however, said Dravid had done a good job as captain and the Board would try to persuade him to reconsider his decision.

"We all like Dravid because he has done well for the Indian team. The (BCCI) President has spoken to him and the selection committee will also speak to him. Players at a certain age decide for themselves. We all like to see him as a captain," Shah told reporters at the Ferozshah Kotla stadium.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, however, said the Board would consider his request and look for a successor.

"He has been requesting it for the past couple of days. He was feeling burdened as a player and captain. The BCCI will now consider the options," he said.

Shukla said Dravid did not give any indication during the tour of England that he wanted to step down.

"I think the reasons are personal. He must have pondered over it."