Chennai, November 22:

Rahul Dravid was on Tuesday named India’s new Test captain in place of Sourav Ganguly after the selectors rewarded him for leading the team’s one-day resurgence. The five-man selection committee, headed by former Test wicketkeeper Kiran More, named Dravid, 32, captain for the three Test matches against Sri Lanka starting on December 2. The prolific batsman, who was last month handed the task of improving India’s dismal one-day performamce, responded by recording a resounding 6-1 win over Sri Lanka in the recent home series. India are currently locked 1-1 in the five-match limited-overs series against South Africa.

“We have complete faith in Dravid’s leadership,” More said. “I am sure he will do a good job in the Test matches as well.” The selectors would have given Dravid a longer term but left the decision to the new committee that will be in place after the Indian cricket board’s elections on November 29. The gruelling season till July includes home Tests against Sri Lanka and England and tours of Pakistan and the West Indies. Dravid’s elevation ends Ganguly’s reign as India’s most successful Test captain with 21 wins, but the left-hander is expected to return to the Test squad after being ignored for the one-dayers. The Test squad will be picked on Wednesday. Dravid, a long-time deputy to Ganguly, has led India in five Tests in the captain’s absence, with mixed results. Under Dravid, India won and lost a Test each against Australia and Pakistan last season, while the fifth against New Zealand was drawn.