Over the past couple of seasons, our second team has proudly showcased one of the youngest line-ups at the top end of the league. This season, we're thrilled to have one of the youngest captains, 23-year-old Rahil Thapar, leading us with his sights set on promotion.

In his debut season as captain in 2024, Rahil emphasised creating a positive culture, prioritising the enjoyment of cricket while fiercely competing to win. Although results didn't always go our way, the 2nd team displayed glimpses of Division 1 potential. By batting deeper, playing more assertively, and not letting opposition dictate terms, Radlett’s 2nd XI is poised for a bright future.

Rahil shared, “We are welcoming back Samarjit, Faris, Tej, Neel, Abhijay, Troy, Jasdeep, and Alex as our core batting unit, a blend of youth and significant experience, all capable of scoring match-winning runs. Additionally, we have Rohan, Daniel, and Ross as our fast bowlers. The most promising signs come from our future stars: Nicky Elson, Sidd Vijay, Reuben Hamm, and Rhys Kanbi, who all contributed to the team's success last year and return this season, more mature and focused.

Rahil, a flag bearer for the club's youth policy, started playing competitive cricket for Radlett at under-8 and has progressed to the first team. He remarked, “The second team is an exciting prospect because it blends talented 16–19-year-olds with seasoned players who have over a decade of senior cricket experience, and I’m right in the middle.”
This mix of youth and experience offers younger players the chance to learn from and be nurtured by senior members. Role models like Troy Barrett, Neel Malde, and Tej Malde are always supportive, mentoring the younger guys, creating a fun, supportive, yet competitive environment.

Rahil added, “I’m hoping to continue shaping the team in my own way. I’ve built strong relationships with the younger lads I’ve seen grow up and the older players I’ve played with for the last six years, positioning me well for the captaincy.”

Despite being a young captain, Rahil remains pragmatic and hasn’t fully embraced the Bazball approach. He explained, “It can all change depending on who is playing and the conditions, but if we bat 50 overs and score over 200, we can defend that. From a batting perspective, I want players to be selfish and stay at the crease, if we play the full 100 overs, we will win. I want to play the long game and show patience.”

“In terms of bowling, it’s simpler: our seamers need to hit their lines and lengths, and we’re fortunate to have 4 or 5 talented seamers. The same goes for our spinners. With a young team, we bring dynamism to the field. Last year, many individuals showed commitment by running around for 50 overs, putting their bodies on the line to save 15-20 runs a game. I hope this dedication continues into the 2025 season.”

Discussing the pathway to the 1st team, Rahil said, “I love that the second team has young players eager to make their mark on Radlett's adult teams, with ambitions to play for the first team and beyond. I hope to give them opportunities to perform and knock on Dom’s door.”

“I’m very excited for this season. We’re fortunate to have a strong setup and great support from within the club. I’m eager to continue being part of it and see how it unfolds. Last year, we established team culture, expectations, and non-negotiables. This year, we’ve got our eyes on the prize.”

“We’re up against other clubs' first teams, competing against experienced, grown men, presenting many challenges. But overcoming these challenges makes us better cricketers.”