Rahul Dravid has resigned the Indian captaincy, just hours before today's Twenty20 world cup match against bitter rivals Pakistan.

Citing a desire to concentrate on his own game – particularly his batting which has suffered of late – Dravid said he no longer wished to lead the side as he has done for the last two years.

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) will now begin in the search for Dravid's successor. Fellow middle-order batsman VVS Laxman is being touted as a likely candidate, despite struggling to cement a regular starting berth for his country recently.

Rahul Dravid met Mr. Sharad Pawar at Delhi on 13th September 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 statement issued by BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said.

"Rahul further assured that he would extend his full co-operation to his successor and contribute as a batsman and a senior player."