The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘Looking forward to perform’

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Monday, Apr 28, 2008
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‘Looking forward to perform’

Bangalore: Stephen Fleming, former New Zealand captain and a key player in the Chennai Super Kings team, has said that the Indian Premier League has been a “massive shake-up” for the game of cricket.

“It has shaken up the game and has actually moved cricket forward. Along with the other players, I am also watching this and it would be interesting to know how things pan out in the next twelve months. There is already talk in England of a similar league with a lot of money being bandied around and there is talk of creating a window for the IPL in the schedule,” Fleming said.

Fleming also said that the IPL will energise young Indian cricketers.

“To watch young Indian cricketers sit around Mathew Hayden and listen to him talk, picking up ideas, was fantastic. The IPL has changed the cricketing culture a bit and even for us overseas players, it’s been a new experience. Of course we always know that Indians are passionate about their cricket but the support we have got here has been effusive and it has never been partisan,” Fleming said. Fleming, who has been warming the benches in the previous IPL matches, is biding his time for an opportunity. “In Hayden and Hussey, we have two great players and obviously it’s tough to fit me in. But they will be leaving to play for Australia and in that lies my opportunity. Looking forward to performing.

“M.S. Dhoni and I have been informally sharing ideas (on leadership). The thing I like about Dhoni’s leadership is his ability to read the game and stay ahead. ” — Principal Correspondent

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