Speechly resigns as India physio

Evan Speechly has resigned as the Indian cricket team's physiotherapist with immediate effect, citing personal problems. As a result, the BCCI has summoned Nitin Patel, Speechly's predecessor, to join the Indian team in Chennai ahead of the first Test against Australia and will be with the team for the duration of the Australia series. Patel has been stationed at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore since handing over the national team's charge to Speechly.

"Speechly has resigned citing personal problems. He told us that his wife wasn't well and needed to spend more time at home," a top BCCI official told The Indian Express. "Till a new physiotherapist is appointed, BCCI has asked Nitin Patel to be with the Indian team."

Speechly was involved with South Africa's football and rugby teams for almost two decades before being appointed as India's physiotherapist in October 2011 for a period of two years. His first assignment was the West Indies tour to India in November-December 2011

Having worked with the IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Speechly was familiar with some of the top India players. It remains to be seen if the South African can honour his commitment to RCB for this year's IPL.