Changed my Technique to Copy Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma When I Had a Bad Game: David Bedingham

Picking up Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as his two favourite Indian players, South Africa batter David Bedingham says when he used to have a bad game during his young days he used to copy their techniques.

Bedingham made his Test debut against India during in Centurion last week. The middle-order batter scored a fine half-century on his maiden outing.

The 29-year-old looked solid with his approach while facing quality Indian pacers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

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While school senior Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs were his childhood heroes, Kohli and Rohit fascinated him during his teenage years.

“My two favourites among Indian players are Sharma and Kohli. I think when I was between 13-18, I was trying to mould my technique like theirs (Kallis and Gibbs) and when I had a bad game, I changed my technique to copy Kohli’s or try probably Sharma’s,” Bedingham told PTI.

The Proteas batter also talked about the nervousness he was going through during his debut Test while batting and he didn’t let the feeling sink in that he was facing Bumrah.

“My nerves were really high and I didn’t really think about his bowling. I was so nervous about batting, great Test. He swings the ball at great pace both ways,” Bedingham said.

Bedingham is also grateful that he got an opportunity to interact with England Test skipper Ben Stokes during his stint with Durham.

“I think we talked a lot. I think he refrained from talking about cricket a lot. He spoke about dealing with pressures, speaking to a world-class player like him did help handle the pressure better during the first Test,” Bedingham said about his interactions with Stokes.

Playing nearly 90 First-Class games did have its positives too.

Meanwhile, getting a chance in the national team after an experience of 90 First Class games is a bit frustrating for any player but Bedingham pointed out the positives of it.

“Everything happens for a reason. Fine if it (Test debut) would have happened five years ago but I have played so much First-Class cricket that I learnt the ups and downs. It prepares you better for Test cricket. I think because of all my experiences in First-Class cricket, I can keep my emotions in check,” he said.