Pacer Tushar Deshpande, who is on the verge of becoming the first cricketer from Mumbai's neighbouring city of Kalyan in Thane District to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL), cannot wait to begin his maiden journey with Delhi Capitals (DC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month. The IPL will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.

Excited and confident

"I can't tell you how excited I am. I have waited long for this opportunity. I'm confident I will be able to prove myself as I have worked really hard since March when the Coronavirus-caused lockdown began," Mumbai pacer Deshpande told mid-day prior to his departure for the UAE on Sunday.