Delhi Daredevils' pacer Morne Morkel is relishing the prospect of another bowling duel with Sachin Tendulkar when his side takes on Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League in New Delhi on Sunday.
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South African pacer Morkel had accounted for Tendulkar's wicket during the league stage match of the World Cup in Nagpur, which the Proteas won by three wickets.
He had also bowled to Tendulkar during India's nearly two-month-long tour of South Africa just before the World Cup. The lanky pacer said he had always enjoyed playing against the world's leading run-scorer in Test and One-Day cricket.
"For the last couple of months, I had been regularly bowling to Tendulkar. Obviously, it's going to be one big challenge tomorrow. He is a world-class player and everyone knows that. He has been performing well for the last couple of months. It's a big challenge and as always I am looking forward to it," said Morkel.
The South African was bought by the Delhi outfit for $475,000 on the first day of the players' auction held in Bangalore in the second week of January this year.
When asked about sharing the dressing room with India opener Virender Sehwag, who is the skipper of Delhi Daredevils, Morkel said it's good to have a calm and composed person like him in the IPL.
"He is a good guy. Always planning and bringing out new things. It's exciting sharing the dressing room with him. He is the captain of our side and it's special to work under him. He is very calm and cool guy and it's good to have him in IPL," he said.
Morkel said it would be tough adjusting to the Twenty20 format but is ready to perform.
"It's going to be tough to adjust but IPL is a huge tournament and I am ready to play my part. It's going to be an exciting tournament with a new bunch of guys. First game is tomorrow and we are done with our preparations. Looking forward to start the tournament on a winning note," he said.
Morkel said it would be challenging to bowl on Indian wickets. "But it's a challenge that I have always enjoyed. I have fair idea of the Indian conditions and pitches as the World Cup just finished. I am improving my skills on a daily basis."
