Gloster not to extend contract

John Gloster, India's physiotherapist, has opted not to renew his contract with the Indian team, citing personal reasons. Gloster has been with the side for three years but told the Indian board (BCCI) that the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia will be his last assignment.

"I decided it during the Australia series this year. I'm getting married in March so am looking forward to that", he told Cricinfo.

Gloster, who previously served as physio for Bangladesh, took over from Andrew Leipus for the home series against Pakistan in 2005. "It's been an incredible journey," he said. "But after three years I decided it was getting tiring travelling all year around and I wanted to give more time to my personal life which was going in no direction."

Gloster has come under fire for constant injuries to India's fast bowlers, notably Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, RP Singh and Sreesanth. In January, a report from Gloster revealed that most of India's national players are forced to go through games carrying niggles because there is simply no time for them to either recover from injuries or do the rehabilitation work needed.

Still, he felt the team was in good shape. Without indicating his future aspirations Gloster said his fondest memories would remain India's Test victories. "They will always rank above everything but our performance at the Twenty20 World Cup was also as high."

Dr Biman Soni, the Indian team manager, clarified that the BCCI had heard from Gloster. "He resigned two weeks back. He wants to start a new life and informed BCCI." he said. "The BCCI will take the decision on his resignation soon about whether to accept it and make a new appointment."

India next play a the three-Test home series against South Africa, and there are plenty of international assignments during the year.