Tendulkar all set for ACLT20

Sachin Tendulkar is relishing a rare new experience in his career ahead of the start of cricket's Airtel CL T20.

The 37-year-old, one of the greatest players of all time, has achieved almost everything the game has to offer.



But he is now preparing to captain the Mumbai Indians during their campaign in South Africa.


He was an integral part of the side that booked their place in the tournament via a runners-up finish during the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year where he ended as leading scorer with 618 runs in 15 games.


Now he is looking forward to testing his skills on a different platform.


"Having played cricket for more than 20 years, this is the first time I am doing something like this," Tendulkar said. "You have champion sides from most of the cricket playing nations - it's as tough as it can get.


"It will be competitive and exciting, you have some world-class players participating in this tournament and I think the crowds will thoroughly enjoy it.


"Twenty20 has always been an exciting format and this takes it to a new level altogether."


Tendulkar, who has retired from international T20 cricket, but still plays Tests and one-dayers, believes there will be a level playing field between the 10 competing sides, but is confident his team have the ability to succeed.

He continued: "Many of the players taking part in the tournament have been travelling around the world, and have grown accustomed to different conditions.


"All the teams have some world-class players, so it's always a challenge to play against them.


"But for me, it's all about playing to the best of my potential.


"It doesn't matter who the opposition is. That is the way I have always approached the game, and I continue to do that now.


"We had a superb third IPL season and the players understand each other very well, so there is no question of trying to understand each other again.


"We already know what the thinking is."


Mumbai are in Group B for the competition alongside fellow IPL side Bangalore, South Australia, West Indian champions Guyana and local side Lions, against whom they open up in Johannesburg on Friday.


Tendulkar added: "After having played for such a long time, I'm playing in South Africa in September for the first time in my career, so conditions are slightly different.


"But that doesn't mean that we can't produce good cricket. We're here to compete hard and to compete fairly.


"The Lions have the advantage of knowing the conditions and the ground better than us, but that doesn't mean we can't beat them."