It8217;s official: Kumble gets the Test Captaincy

8220;Anil Kumble has been appointed for the three tests against Pakistan. There will be no vice-captain,8221; senior board official Mohinder Pandove told a news conference.

Kumble, who has previously served as test vice-captain, is the third highest wicket-taker with 566 test scalps, behind Australia8217;s Shane Warne and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.

In 1999 the wrist spinner became the second bowler after England8217;s Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a test innings, leading India to a series-levelling win over Pakistan in New Delhi.

India8217;s selectors faced a dilemma when Sachin Tendulkar declined to return as captain after two previously unsuccessful terms, mainly to avoid putting extra pressure on his batting.

Dhoni, 26, has done well since being appointed one-day skipper in September.

He led India to their Twenty20 World Cup triumph in South Africa on his captaincy debut.

The home series with neighbours Pakistan will be followed by a tour of Australia before India host South Africa early next year.