In a remarkable debut against India at Centurion, South African cricketer David Bedingham shared insights into the unique inspiration that fueled his cricketing journey. Unlike conventional paths guided by international stars, Bedingham’s formative years were shaped by admiration for the techniques of two Indian batting legends, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
During his teenage years, Bedingham actively sought to mold his technique after Kohli and Rohit. In moments of adversity, he would adapt his style, first attempting to emulate Kohli and then turning to Rohit.
Reflecting on this phase, Bedingham stated, “When I was 15, or 18, I was definitely trying to mould my technique on theirs. If I had a bad game, I would change my technique to try to copy Kohli’s style, and if I failed again I would try Rohit’s,” as quoted by The Hindu.
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Now, as he gears up for the second Test against India, Bedingham finds himself not just an admirer but a competitor against his teenage idols. “Having watched them and now having this chance to play against them is special,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of the upcoming match.
Despite once representing Durham amid discussions of playing for England, Bedingham clarified that his cricketing journey was driven by love and passion rather than a desire to switch national teams. “I think it was just love and work for me, rather than wanting to play for England,” he affirmed.
David Bedingham said “My two favorites among Indian players are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – I think when I was 18, I was trying to mould my technique like Kallis and Gibbs and when I had a bad game – I changed my technique to copy Kohli’s or try probably Sharma’s”. [PTI] pic.twitter.com/cWfBvlO5km
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Delving into the anticipation surrounding his Test debut, Bedingham emphasized his readiness, irrespective of the timing.
“If it happened three years ago, or if it happened a week ago, it is fine with me. But I think because I have played so much and seen ups and downs, I am better prepared for Test match cricket,” he asserted.
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The 29-year-old’s debut, marked by a composed 56 runs and a crucial partnership with Dean Elgar, showcased the mental resilience honed through years of First-Class cricket.
“Playing with Deano was quite cool, he made me comfortable. It was nice watching all his drives,” David Bedingham expressed, reflecting on the experience of batting alongside Dean Elgar in his debut Test.
