LZHS student travels to UK with Cricket Academy

On April 16, Shiv Shani, sophomore, along with his entire cricket team, got on a plane to the United Kingdom to play for the Langley Senior Boarding School in London.

Shani is a member of the Chicago Youth Cricket Academy, a sports club “with the objective to promote the sport of cricket amongst youth in the Chicagoland area,” according to their website.

“We got an opportunity to send a few kids to the UK to play for [Langley] and learn more [cricket] from a British standpoint,” Gurav Chugh, one of the founders of the CYCA, said. “Shani is one of the lucky few and one of the best players at the academy. [He] is all around a very accomplished batsman and bowler.”

Shani, along with his fellow cricketeers, is staying at Langley during his trip and, despite the strict rules of the boarding school, it has “been amazing” according to Shani.

“I’m really exited to get an opportunity to be able to play for a school team in another country,” Shani said. “Getting to learn from full time coaches will help improve my skills as a cricketeer.”

Shani has held a lifelong passion for cricket ever since he was young, having been inspired by his father to go down this path in the first place.

“My dad used to play cricket at a very high level and he taught me all the skills,” Shani said. “Cricket is my passion and I’m looking to make it as a professional. Being able to play professionally would be my life goal.”

Shani and his team will be staying in England for a little over a month and represent Langley in the local league, playing against some of the top competition in England. According to Chugh, Shani is doing great in Britain, and is one of the best fast bowlers for the Langley Boarding School team.