New Delhi, Sept 14: In a surprise move, batsman Rahul Dravid has resigned as India captain with immediate effect in order to concentrate on his batting.

Dravid had rendered his resignation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Sharad Pawar, at a meeting here on Thursday, which the board accepted today.

Board secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement that Dravid asked the BCCI to relieve him of the captaincy job before Australia's tour of India, beginning later this month.

"Dravid met the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sharad Pawar at Delhi on Thursday during the working committee meeting 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 the release.

"The Karnataka batsman further assured that he would extend his full co-operation to his successor and contribute as a batsman and a senior player. Rahul Dravid wanted to concentrate on his game, and did not want to take the additional pressure of leading the side," it added.

Meanwhile, Pawar said that the new captain would be selected by the National Selection Committee, adding that a new player would be given the opportunity to lead the team.

The board is likely to meet on September 26 in Mumbai to name the new skipper.

The 33-year-old Karnataka batsman led India in 25 Tests and 79 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) after taking over the captaincy from Sourav Ganguly in October 2005.

He led the Men in Blue in eight Test victories, including series wins in Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and most recently in England. Under his captaincy, India lost six Tests and drew 11. (With Inputs from ANI)