Dimi - Exciting times

England's lone ranger ready to make his mark in the IPL

Last updated: 9th April 2008

Dimitri Mascarenhas Hampshire Aug 07

Mascarenhas: blazing a trail

Because I got in so late, I literally don't know anything about it (IPL).

Dimitri Mascarenhas
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Dimitri Mascarenhas believes his decision to play in the Indian Premier League will benefit his international career.

The England one-day all-rounder has signed for the Jaipur-based team in the lucrative Twenty20 competition, reuniting him with former Hampshire captain Shane Warne, who is coach and captain of the franchise.

The 30-year-old has succeeded Warne as skipper at the Rose Bowl but will miss at least two weeks of the county season in May to participate in the inaugural IPL.

He is the only Englishman so far to agree a contract in the IPL, something he was able to do because he does not have a central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

ECB chairman Giles Clarke is on record as saying that those with central contracts - such as Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen - are unlikely to be released for the IPL in the forseeable future.

Despite that policy, Mascarenhas feels his own IPL jaunt will not be held against him by the England selectors.

Positive

"I'm not missing any one-day internationals for England," he said. "From speaking to Geoff Miller (senior selector) and Peter Moores (coach) they are all pretty positive about it.

"At this stage they don't see too much of a problem. I can't see why other players won't do it in the future.

"My contract states that if dates clash I play for England. I've done pretty well but I'm still in and out of the side. I want to play every game."

Mascarenhas has agreed a three-year deal with Jaipur's Rajasthan Royals but admits he is in the dark as to what awaits him in India.

"Because I got in so late, I literally don't know anything about it. I don't know where I am going to be," he added.

"I'm there for two weeks and if we make the finals there's scope for me to go a bit longer.

"It's an exciting time for me. I'm very much looking forward to it."