Player Profile: Adnaan Lagadien (Bishops)
When it comes to opening batsmen, one of their most valued qualities is consistency, and Bishops Diocesan College‘s Adnaan Lagadien has proved himself to be a dependable soldier in the opening overs with the bat.
He has retained his place in the Western Province Khaya Majola squad and is focused on producing the kind of form he showed for the SA u19 Emerging outfit last year at the inter-provincial tournament.
In a September 2024 clash against Zimbabwe, he top-scored with a hasty 112 runs off 87 deliveries, with his standout innings including 12 fours and three sixes, and that was but one of many outstanding innings by the opener.
At the beginning of that year, he smashed a memorable unbeaten double-century against Hilton College at the Peninsula Cricket Week.
Bishops’ Head Coach, Visser Gildenhuys, gave SuperSport Schools Plus some insight into Lagadien’s stoic ability to bat for long periods of time: “Off the field, he has put in a lot of work at the gym, adding to his power-hitting ability and overall conditioning.
“He also added to his skillset by becoming an off-spinner, making him a more complete player.
“One of his strengths is his ability to take the game forward and attack the bowler. He can access any part of the field, which makes him a massive asset in any format.”
Lagadien’s hard work has not only improved his game. The hard-hitting opener has also become a yardstick of quality against which all Bishops’ cricketers can measure themselves.
Gildenhuys explained: “Adnaan’s work rate and the number of hours he puts in has definitely had an impact on his fellow teammates and cricketers in the school. When the younger players in the school always see Adnaan in the nets outside of team practice, it inspires them to be like him.
“With the extra work he puts in, he helps cultivate a good work ethic and self-discipline among the school’s cricketers.”
Lagadien shared what ignited his passion for the sport: “My earliest memory of cricket was playing mini cricket for Ottoman (a cricket club in Cape Town). Ever since then I felt that cricket is for me, as it made me feel comfortable and happy,” he said.
That’s the past, but what lies in his future? “In the next five years, I want to make my Western Province men’s debut,” Lagadien shared. “In my personal life, I want to finish studying psychology and giving back to my community in any way I can.”
In the present, he has identified areas of his game on which he feels he needs to work. “Fitness is something I’m working on and can improve,” he reckoned. “I think when it comes to cricket, fitness plays a big role, as the fitter you are, the longer you stay focused.
“Another thing, from a batting point of view, is playing the pull shot. I think it’s just not one of my strengths, but I’m working on it.”
Adnaan Lagadien has set himself high standards, and he is intent on fulfilling his potential.
At last year’s, Khaya Maiola Week, which was won by Western Province, he was selected for the SA Colts side. Earlier this year, he was a top performer for Bishops when they won the Schools SA20 national title.
In Bloemfontein, from 16-21 December, he’ll be aiming to again be an influential contributor by leading Province’s title defence from the top of the order, with authority.
