Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff doesn’t expect the Indian Premier League to enhance Test captain Joe Root’s game or leadership and said while players come up with various reasons for their decision to play in the IPL, ultimately it’s all about the money.

“Players who go to IPL will come up with a lot of reasons for why they want to go – it’ll enhance their game, they’ll play with all these players from around the world. But essentially we all know why they’re going,” Flintoff told Sport360°, speaking in his role as an ambassador at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“You’re earning good money but don’t hide behind it. It’s a short career and players want to make money while they can. Joe didn’t go two or three years ago because he was concentrating on England. He’s done that now and now he fancies a crack at the IPL.”

England coach Trevor Bayliss had earlier urged Root to not play in India’s premier T20 tournament and instead preserve himself for tougher assignments ahead, which include series against India and Pakistan on home soil this summer.

But Root has put his name in the hat for the players’ auction which will take place on January 27-28. According to Bayliss, the 27-year-old doesn’t want to miss out on T20 cricket anymore and ‘fall behind’ in the shortest format.

Having seen international colleague Ben Stokes land a lucrative $2.1m (Dh7.7m) deal last year with Rising Pune Supergiant, Flintoff says it is understandable Root also wants to cash in.

Indeed, Flintoff feels the batsman has earned the right to play in the IPL, even if he doesn’t feel it will necessarily improve him as an all-round cricketer and skipper.

“I don’t know if the IPL will make him a better captain or player, I think he’ll become a richer player,” Flintoff said.

“He’s missed out in recent years because he’s been concentrating on England. The IPL, the Big Bash, all these tournaments, they’re rewards for playing well at international level and Joe’s done that.”