Dimi - IPL a great benefit

England's solitary representative enjoyed experience in India

Last updated: 4th June 2008

Dimitri Mascarenhas Hampshire thumbs up

Mascarenhas: England's IPL trailblazer

Just to be involved was amazing and to see how the best players in the world approach their cricket, that was a real good learning curve for me.

Dimitri Mascarenhas
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Dimitri Mascrenhas believes his short stint in the Indian Premier League will benefit his international career.

The Hampshire captain was the only Englishman to compete in the inaugural IPL, making one appearance for the Rajasthan Royals - the eventual winners - during his two-week stay in India.

And the 30-year-old, who is part of England's squad for the one-day series against New Zealand later in June, enjoyed the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best players in the world.

"I didn't play a lot so I was able to watch a lot of the cricket," Mascarenhas told Sky Sports News.

"Just to be involved was amazing and to see how the best players in the world approach their cricket, that was a real good learning curve for me."

Mascarenhas was able to join the Royals because he is not centrally contracted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

When asked if his IPL jaunt had risked his England career, he admitted: "There was always a chance that it could have.

"But the guys in the England set-up - Peter Moores (head coach) and Geoff Miller (national selector) have been brilliant, when I've spoken to them they have been positive and said 'you've got to perform to warrant your spot in the one-day side' and I've done that this year, especially in one-day cricket.

"They've seen that and have given me another chance."