David Bedingham, a player known for his red-ball credentials, has faced a challenging but significant test this season as he enters the world of T20 cricket. The 2025 SA20 tournament has been a rollercoaster for Bedingham, who made headlines last summer by choosing to skip the SA20 draft to focus on South Africa’s Test tour to New Zealand. His decision to forgo the T20 league for the longer format was a testament to his commitment to Test cricket, and he earned respect from traditionalists after playing a match-winning knock in the second Test against New Zealand.

However, after securing his spot in the Test side, Bedingham re-entered the SA20 draft and was picked up by the defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape. This move marked a significant step in his T20 career, and Bedingham is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead. "I'm still trying to learn my trade in T20. I don't think I've found the sweet spot yet," he told ESPNcricinfo.

Throughout the tournament, Bedingham has struggled with consistency, with his role fluctuating between batting at No. 7 and being promoted to open in Sunrisers' third match. His T20 journey with the team has been a learning experience, but he showed glimpses of his potential, scoring 39 off 20 balls in one of the matches and adding two more scores in the 40s. With 53 of his 80 T20 matches spent in the top three, Bedingham appears to be most comfortable in that position.

While his T20 numbers remain a work in progress, with an average of 21.47 and a strike rate of 141.19 in 38 matches for Durham, Bedingham’s approach has evolved. "For me, it's just trying to find the balance of attack and defence," he reflected. In this year's SA20, he has leaned toward a more cautious, defensive mindset, especially given the challenging pitches in South Africa. Despite this, his 200 runs from ten games put him second on the Sunrisers’ run-scorer list, trailing only Aiden Markram.

The tournament has been tough for the Sunrisers, with the team struggling in the early stages of the campaign, but Bedingham’s contributions have been crucial. As the tournament progresses, the opening pair has struggled, with Sunrisers averaging the lowest powerplay score of 45.6 and failing to make an impact in the first six overs. Sunrisers' opening pair, including Bedingham, has averaged just 15.60, one of the lowest in the tournament.

Bedingham attributes this to both tough wickets and the strength of the opposition’s bowlers. "The wickets have played a bit tougher, especially in the first six overs, and I think a lot of teams, including us, have probably struggled in those first six overs," he explained. He has focused on playing in the style of one-day cricket during the early overs, waiting for the right time to accelerate when wickets are in hand. However, the Sunrisers' early struggles with the bat have made it difficult for them to kick on and produce quick runs.

Despite the challenges, Bedingham remains focused on helping Sunrisers Eastern Cape to victory. “We’re in the Eliminator, so hopefully, we can start off well and win that game,” he said optimistically, as Sunrisers prepare for their do-or-die match against Joburg Super Kings on Wednesday.

With two previous SA20 titles under their belt, Sunrisers have mastered the formula for success, led by coach Adi Birrell and captain Aiden Markram. However, the current season has been a test of their resilience, and Bedingham's ability to adapt and contribute in the T20 format could prove crucial as the team fights to claim their third title.