Chappell quits as India coach

The Australian sent an email to Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in which he cited personal reasons for his decision not to seek an extension when his contract expires at the end of April.

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The email read: "Today I informed the President of the BCCI that I would not seek an extension to my contract to coach the Indian cricket team for family and personal reasons.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the BCCI for allowing me the honour of coaching the Indian cricket team over the past 22 months.

"It is, and it remains, one of the most challenging coaching positions in world cricket.

"I am grateful to the players with whom I have worked in this time for the challenges that they presented me with, and which I tried to meet in a professional, methodical and interesting way in the interests of the team and the individual."

BCCI president Sharad Pawar, who is set to hold an emergency meeting with fellow BCCI top-brass to discuss the situation, confirmed Chappell's decision.

He said: "Mr Chappell's contract is over. The contract was up to the World Cup.

"I got a telephone call this afternoon from him saying because of his family and personal problems he was not wanting to continue the contract.

"I enquired to my office in Mumbai. They have received a letter from Chappell exactly on the same lines."

The BCCI still expects Chappell to attend a World Cup review meeting on Friday.

Chappell's future was to be a subject for discussion at the meeting, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah had said before reports of his resignation surfaced.

The 58-year-old coach had been under increasing pressure after a disappointing World Cup campaign in the Caribbean which saw India exit at the group stages.

They suffered a surprise five-wicket loss to Bangladesh in their opening match and went down by 69 runs to Sri Lanka to finish only third in Group B and miss out on a place in the Super Eight phase.

Senior players Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble both voiced their dismay at the team's poor display in the Caribbean while many fans were angered by the performances.

Chappell was appointed India coach in May 2005 and his tenure has been plagued by negative publicity - not helped by a strained relationship with former captain Sourav Ganguly.

After scoring a century in the opening Test of Chappell's first overseas tour in Zimbabwe, Ganguly claimed the former Australia batsman had asked him to step down as skipper on the eve of the match.

Ganguly was later dropped from the squad with loss of form cited as the reason.

But despite his occasionally turbulent time at the helm, Chappell concluded his email by reaffirming his support of the Indian game.

He said: "I look forward to continuing my contact with India in the coming years and I wish Indian cricket and all those involved with it much joy and success in the future."