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Former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock is relishing the challenge of playing in the Indian Premier League when it gets under way this week.

Pollock will turn out for the Mumbai Indians alongside former Proteas team-mate Loots Bosman, India duo Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar, and Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Pollock told The Mercury. "I'm particularly looking forward to playing with my friend Sachin Tendulkar in India after a lifetime spent playing against him."

Pollock, however, was under no illusions about how tough bowling would be, but was eager to bat up the order so he could "play a few strokes".

The 34-year-old also admitted he was interested in seeing how the tournament panned out.

"This is unchartered territory," he added. "The interest has been huge."

On completion of the tournament Pollock is set to link up with former Dolphins team-mate Dale Benkenstein and Durham in the Twenty20 competition in England in June.

He is also scheduled to commentate for Sky Sports during the England-South Africa Test and one-day international series between July and September.