Xifio
School Cricketer
ye, it's been made fairly clear for a while now that the players want to play in the IPL ... the ICC needs to see that the future of the game is as much in club cricket as it is in international cricket, and make a clear window for the domestic T20 competitions (like the IPL) and also make the Champions League the glamour event it should be (like it is in football) ...Flintoff keen to benefit from IPL experience
Andrew Flintoff has told the BBC that he wants to join the IPL next season, arguing that any England players who followed suit would gain from the experience."They [India's players] played in the IPL and have brought that into the 50-over game," Flintoff said. "It's something I'd be keen to have a go at it on the Indian pitches, with the Indian players and international cricketers.
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/379471.html
Money factor is also there...He will be getting huge amount if he comes into IPL,i have heard SRK is trying to get him in his side...
and with regards to Flintoff, I've posted my thoughts:
I don't think that Calcutta really needs [Freddie] ... they already have a strong squad: Dada, Gayle, Punter, McCullum, Ishant, Shoaib Akhtar, and Ajantha Mendis can be matchwinners on their day; then there are useful experienced players like Umar Gul, Murali Kartik, Dave Hussey, Salman Butt, Agarkar, and Shukla; and finally a few promising youngsters like Saha and Pujara can play their part too ... that squad is strong, and they are already serious championship contenders for next season in my eyes ... they do need a fully fit/available squad for that to be the case, though ...
unless one or more of the big name players from the foreign contingent are leaving the team, bringing in Flintoff would certainly compromise the team chemistry due to a lack of playing time for a few of the big names -- if I remember correctly, those big salaries are dependent on a minimum number of appearances, so they won't be happy to sit out and see their overall pay packet diminish ...