EAST LONDON: At the start of this season's DLF-IPL the biggest thing to look forward to was the arrival of the two most high-profile signings, Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

They were the biggest stars to have descended from England to play this tournament. A lot was expected of the duo and there was much anticipation.

But as the tournament went along, the star duo flattered to deceive. They struggled to score runs, take wickets and were a shadow of their real self. Instead the Englishman who stole the show from KP and Flintoff was the one who was least expected to do so.

That honour went to Essex born batsman Ravi Bopara. The Punjabi from Essex, was picked by Kings XI Punjab at the Goa auction and far exceeded the expectations invested in him.

He gave good starts to his team in each of the five games he played for the team and even starred in winning one of them.

So when Bopara, was picked by the English selectors for the Test series against West Indies, there were a few mixed emotions in the Kings XI Punjab camp. For the man himself, it was difficult having to leave the team mid-way through the DLF-IPL2.

"I am obviously very delighted to be in the England squad. It's my opportunity to go and do something major for England. But I am also sad to be leaving IPL. It has been so much fun. I have gelled with the guys amazingly, it is an amazing tournament. I hope this carries on forever," Bopara told http://iplt20.com/

Apart from Bopara, the other Englishmen in DLF-IPL2 are Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah who are in the Delhi Daredevils squad; Dimitri Mascarenhas is with the Rajasthan Royals. But Collingwood and Shah have not even played a single game thus far. Then you have Flintoff who left mid-way with a knee injury which required a surgery. So it was Bopara who ended up being the best English performer.

Does that give the young man a few bragging points? "There weren't too many Englishmen playing, there were only three of us and Freddie went back. There wasn't much competition. Anyway I am very happy, I am happy that we have won three of our games out of five. The first two, who knows we could have won them too. The rain didn't help us. I am very happy with the way things went," said Bopara.

But it is obvious that Bopara is much liked all around. The other even KP called him a "superstar". Bopara was thrilled to hear the comment from KP.

"It is a big compliment coming from him, he is a fine player himself, he hasn't obviously fired himself in this tournament as he would have liked to. But these things happen, he is a class player. I am pretty sure when he goes back to England he will be on top form," said Bopara.

Inspite of being an Englishman, the big plus for Bopara was that he traced his roots to Punjab. He still speaks Punjabi and that made his job of mingling with the players a lot easier than it should have been.

"It has made a huge difference, it made me get on with the guys straightaway. I am very warm to these bunch of guys. They are a fantastic bunch of guys, they are like a family," Bopara says with a smile.

It was pretty emotional time when Bopara finished with Kings XI Punjab after their win over Mumbai Indians. Bopara had a farewell dinner organised for him as well.

"There was a little speech for me, I also said something back to them `This is one of the best things that I have ever done, playing the IPL, with you guys it has been amazing. Carry on the good work'," said Bopara.

A lot has been spoken about the DLF-IPL and how it has impacted the world cricket. Bopara himself has played a lot of county cricket for Essex as well as Twenty20 for that club. Ask him to compare the two and Bopara is ready with an answer even before you complete.

"Twenty20 here obviously is of a higher standard. These guys are more developed. You obviously have got four overseas players in your squad, which makes a huge difference. You have got the Indian international stars as well. Yeah, Twenty20 here is more competitive, when I go back to England and play international Twenty20 that will obviously be a lot harder than this. But this has been a great experience and I have learnt so much."

Bopara has now left for England and will be starting work with the Test squad from the coming week. But you can be assured; he will be keeping an eye out for Kings XI Punjab all the way.

"Hundred percent, definitely, they are like my family," signed off Bopara.