Shorten IPL for the sake of best players: Warne

London: Australian spin legend Shane Warne has suggested that the Indian Premier League should be shortened and restricted to just the month April so that all the international stars could feature in it.

The IPL season II kicks off on April 10 and will conclude on May 24 with the final slated in Mumbai.

"The best thing would be for the IPL to get shorter and just happen in April, when there is no international cricket. Then all the world's best players would be available," the legendary leg-spinner, who led underdogs Rajasthan Royals to title win in the inaugural edition, said.

The cricket boards have been reluctant to release their players for the cash-rich league fearing injury. England have already raised concern over Andrew Flintoff's participation in the IPL after he injured his hip in the first Test against the West Indies and was forced to miss the rest of the series.

Warne said Flintoff should stay away from the IPL in order to get fit for the Ashes series against Australia.

"It's a really tricky one. I think commonsense will prevail and Freddie will not be available for the IPL. But having said that, you can't begrudge him going over to play for that sort of money," Warne was quoted as saying in the 'Daily Telegraph'.