Adnaan Lagadien points to AB de Villiers as inspiration in budding career

Lagadien announced himself to professional T20 cricket in the loudest way possible after scoring 106 for SA Emerging against YesPlay Cobras earlier in the YesPlay Pro20 Cup – the highest score by a teenager on his professional debut across all 12 Test playing nations.

He says he particularly admires the freedom with which the two have played the game, and revealed that he’s incorporated some of their techniques into his batting style already at his young age.

"Two players that I've always looked up to are AB de Villiers and Dewald Brevis. I really admire the way they play the game, particularly the confidence, freedom and skills shown,” Lagadien said. 

“I started taking certain aspects of their techniques and approaches that I felt could improve my game and finding ways to incorporate them into my own natural style. This has been an important lesson for me, it's good to have a role model but ultimately you also have to understand your own game."

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He also credited the CSA hub system for the major influence it has had on him and nurturing his talent.

He came through the Ottoman Hub and Regional Performance Centre from age 10, and says that helped build him not just as a player but also in character.

"The hub played a massive role in my development. It gave me more than just the skills needed to perform at my best. It taught me consistency, discipline and patience and what it means to keep showing up even when progress isn't immediately visible,” he added.

“I'm extremely grateful to the coaches and everyone involved because they helped build the foundation of the player I am today."