BCCI's decision not only shocked and disappointed Sachin, but also the England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Though he is not playing against the West Indies due to fitness, he was keen in participating in the IPL.
He was bought for USD 1.5 million by IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. He did not play season 1. This is the highest price paid for a cricketer and he beat Dhoni along with Pietersen. Both Flintoff and Pietersen were bought for USD 1.5 million each by CSK and Bangalore Royal Challengers.
BCCI took surprise decision on Sunday to move the IPL out of India. Two venues in considerations are England and South Africa. Though revised schedules were provided by IPL, the government said that it may not be possible to provide adequate security for the entire 45 days becuase the dates were clasing with general elections.
"It's disappointing news because one of the big attractions for me about the IPL was playing in India. I love playing cricket in India, particularly the one-day cricket," Flintoff was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.
"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," said Flintoff. It would make it logistically easier to have it at home (in England)," he 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," Flintoff added.
With the backing of most of the franchises--Sharukh Khan (Kolkata Knight Riders), Priety Zinta (Kings XI Punjab), Vijay Mallaya (Bangalore Royal Challengers), I hope CSK will no have negative saying on this.
