"Changed My Technique To Copy Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma": South Africa Star's Huge Admission

David Bedingham was around 21 and full of promise, having already started playing First-Class cricket. But a horrifying car accident almost curtailed the South African's budding journey as he was out of action for a year. Bedingham, however, made a strong-willed comeback to become a Western Province bulwark and also plied his trade for Durham in English county making more than 6000 runs in 89 games before making an impressive Test debut against India at Centurion last week. Now, Bedingham is in a singular space, playing his first Test at Newlands, his home ground.

“Whether I score runs or not, won't matter to them (his family) a lot or to my friends. But me just walking out there, will be special,” Bedingham said.

He feels that the moment can't be quantified by performance.

“It's quite surreal to play the game here as (in the) previous years I would come to watch. My friends are all buzzing me, not to enquire if I am playing or not but for the tickets,” Bedingham laughed.

The 29-year-old said it is a dream to score a hundred in front of friends and family as he owes them a lot.

“I think I have gone through a lot. Sounds cliche but where I was in 2016 to where I am now, maybe the opportunity to play a Test match at Newlands is quite special.

Having my parents here, who have been through a lot. Me not finishing my studies, so I definitely owe them a lot,” said Bedingham.

While school senior Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs were his childhood heroes, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma 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