Gautam Gambhir has cut short his maiden stint in the English county cricket and returned to India for "family reasons". He joined Essex in August.
"Gautam Gambhir returned to his native India on Sunday for family reasons," Essex Cricket said in a statement Monday.
"At this stage Essex Cricket and Gautam are unable to make any further comment. Essex Cricket is fully supportive of Gautam and very much hope that he will return to Essex before the end of the 2013 English domestic season."
The southpaw scored 31, 21, 2 and 0 in England before making a hundred Aug 30 in a drawn match against Gloucestershire.
Gmabhir last played for India in January when he featured in an ODI against England at Dharamsala.