Kamlesh Jain had started his tenure as Team India's physio during Rahul Dravid's tenure.
According to sources from the Indian squad and the BCCI, Jain, who joined the Indian team in June 2022, is presently serving his three-month notice period and is awaiting relief from the board. Given the three-month notice period, the series in New Zealand, which concludes in early December, may be his final assignment unless the BCCI removes him earlier.
“Kamlesh is on a notice period. Since this is the Asian Games squad that is playing the Afghanistan series, the physio and S&C coaches are the ones who will be travelling to Japan," a BCCI source told PTI.
It is understood that, with the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir concerned about the frequent breakdowns of key players, someone from the sports science team had to take the blame. Jain, the physio, has been on the firing line for some time now.
Nitin Patel, who had then moved to the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, was replaced by the Chennai-based Kamlesh Jain. Now Patel has joined the Mumbai Indians after leaving the CoE.
Jain is thought to have looked for an assignment away from the Indian team due to the significant travel required. Jain was with the Kolkata Knight Riders when the BCCI recruited him during Rahul Dravid's tenure.
“He has been with the Indian team for four and a half years. Although he has enjoyed his association with the Indian team, he wants to avoid travel because of a young family,” a source told Cricbuzz.
Another notable absentee was bowling coach Morne Morkel, who left for home after the Sri Lanka Tests.
“Morne's work visa had expired. He had to go back to South Africa for renewal of his work visa. We are expecting his arrival in the next few days," a BCCI source told PTI.
Jain becomes the third notable name to exit the Team India coaching setup. Earlier, fielding coach T. Dilip’s tenure came to an end as his contract was not renewed by the BCCI after the UK tour. During the same time, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also bid goodbye to the Men in Blue and has joined the Kolkata Knight Riders setup.
(Cricbuzz/PTI inputs)