PTI
New Delhi, Sep 14: In a surprise development, Rahul Dravid on Friday expressed his desire to step down as the captain of the Indian cricket team.
Dravid met BCCI Chief Sharad Pawar here on Thursday and expressed his desire to relinquish the post.
“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”, a BCCI press release issued on Friday said.
Dravid has assured that he would extend his full co-operation to his successor and contribute as a batsman and a senior player. “Rahul wanted to concentrate on his game”, the release said.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the board will consider his request and look for a successor.
“He has expressed his desire to quit and has written a letter to the board president in this regard. The board will definitely consider his request”, Shukla said.
“He has been requesting 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”.
In case the BCCI accepts Dravid's resignation, a new captain has to be appointed within the next two weeks before Australia's tour of India gets underway from September 29.