Injured Andrew Flintoff, who had to leave IPL II mid-way promises to deliver for Chennai Super Kings next year
Injured Andrew Flintoff, who had to leave IPL II mid-way promises to deliver for Chennai Super Kings next year
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Ideally, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff should be a very disappointed man after having had to leave the second edition of the Indian Premier League II mid-way due to injury. He will also miss out on the World Twenty20 (June 5-21).
But cricket's most celebrated all-rounder is not in depression zone.
In fact, the 31-year-old is so buoyed by his first IPL experience that he's already looking forward to his next stint in 2010. "The Chennai Super Kings is a very well-run team and I was fortunate to be a part of side that has players like MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Albie Morkel. Unfortunately, it was all over even before it started for me. I got only three games before my knee started troubling me and I had to return home. But I promised the lads that I'll be back next year and play for Chennai in Chennai and hopefully do well," Flintoff told MiD DAY from his home in Lancashire in England yesterday.
Despite the knee injury and a host of tests he had to undergo after returning to England during the IPL, Flintoff said he never missed watching a Chennai Super Kings match on television. "I was constantly in touch with coach Stephen Fleming, texting him and also some of the guys. Sadly, we lost in the semi-finals and the lads were very disappointed. But we'll do well next year" added Flintoff, who is the ambassador of the Barclays Premier League Fan of India contest.
The winner of the contest stands to win a trip for two to England to see an EPL team of their choice in the 2009-10 season. Fans interested in participating should log on to www.barclaysfanofindia.comThe 2005 Ashes hero said he enjoyed playing under Dhoni at CSK. "Dhoni is a very good skipper. He has a very cool head on his shoulders and most importantly, he's a great guy off the field too," said Flintoff, who felt that Deccan Chargers under Adam Gilchrist were worthy winners of the IPL.
"You may have players like Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Gilchrist etc but to bring about such a turnaround like they have (from finishing last in 2008 to wining the IPL in 2009) is fantastic full credit to them."
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