Cape Town – Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is taking confidence from his Indian Premier League (IPL) performances ahead of South Africa’s tour to Sri Lanka.

Ngidi made his IPL debut this year for the returning Chennai Super Kings.

The 21-year-old took one wicket, as the Super Kings defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final by eight wickets.

READ: How the Proteas fared at the 2018 IPL

After the tragic passing of his father, Jerome, Ngidi returned to India and ended the tournament with 11 wickets after seven appearances.

Ngidi, who is nominated for the International Newcomer of the Year award at the CSA Awards, feels his game has gotten a lot better after playing in India.

“The wickets were actually a lot better than I expected, so that was pleasing,” said Ngidi, as quoted by IOL.co.za.

“Just to be able to play in those conditions, the heat, the humidity, has put me in a better position to face Sri Lankan conditions.

“Your line and length is crucial there. Whichever way the ball was swinging, I was making sure to attack that ‘fourth’ stump and hitting the top of the stumps, make the batsman play, put him under pressure. It’s a cliché, but it’s not as easy to execute on the field, you have to keep repeating it.”

The Proteas play two Tests, five ODIs and a solitary T20I against Sri Lanka in July.