Andrew Flintoff admits his disappointment at the decision to host the 2009 IPL outside of India.
England star disappointed to miss out on Indian experience
Andrew Flintoff admits his disappointment at the decision to host the 2009 IPL outside of India.
The Chennai Super Kings bid US$1.55million for Flintoff at last month's player auction in Goa, making him the joint highest-paid player along with England team-mate Kevin Pietersen.
But a clash between the lucrative Twenty20 tournament and the impending general election in India has prompted organisers to stage the IPL's second series outside the country because of security fears.
Flintoff is available for a three-week stint in the tournament, which runs from April 10 to May 29, but it will no longer be in front of the frenetic Indian cricket fans.
"It's disappointing news because one of the big attractions for me about the IPL was playing in India," said Flintoff.
"I love playing cricket in India, particularly one-day cricket.
Unbelievable
"I've never played a Twenty20 match over there but I can imagine it will be an unbelievable experience because as a player you don't get a chance very often to play in front of big crowds of 40,000 to 50,000 people.
"It's unfortunate but if we don't do that this year then hopefully we can do it again next year."
South Africa and England are the leading candidates to host the IPL at short notice and both boards are looking into the possibility of staging 59 matches in six weeks, with a decision due on Monday.
"It would make it logistically easier to have it [in England]," Flintoff said.
"It would be good to spend some more time at home so obviously I'd prefer England, but I'm sure South Africa would do a good job of staging it if it went there as well."
Options
The England all-rounder added: "I only heard about it this morning when I got a text from (agent) Neil Fairbrother telling me it wasn't going to be in India and there were a couple of other options.
"I haven't spoken to the franchise yet but I suppose that will happen once we know what is happening."
