``We felt Azharuddin's performance as captain was not up to the mark for the last couple of series and we need a change for the two tours,'' G R Vishwanath, chairman of the team selection committee, said.

But Azharuddin could still be included in the team as a batsman, said Vishwanath, a former Test player. The decision to replace Azharuddin was ``emotional and tough''.

Tendulkar becomes the second-youngest captain of an Indian team after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who was appointed when he was 21.

Yesterday's decision by the Board of Cricket Con- trol in India ends Azharuddin's six-year reign as captain during which he led the team to 12 Test victories - the highest by any Indian captain so far.