Former Indian cricketer and youth icon Shikhar Dhawan has announced the launch of Da One Sports’ first-ever Residential Elite Cricket Academy at Sandeepni Gurukul, Pathankot, marking a significant step towards nurturing young cricketing talent through a balanced focus on sports and education.
Founded by Dhawan, Da One Sports aims to build long-term pathways for aspiring athletes, and the new residential academy is designed to offer a holistic development model that integrates professional cricket training with structured academics and a safe residential ecosystem. The initiative seeks to provide young players from across India, especially from North India and the surrounding regions, with a comprehensive platform to pursue cricketing excellence without compromising on education.
Rooted in the philosophy that champions are shaped through balance and discipline, the academy will offer professional coaching, competitive exposure, academic support, and residential facilities under one roof, enabling students to train with clarity, confidence, and continuity.
Announcing the launch, Shikhar Dhawan, Founder of Da One Sports, said, “I have always believed that for a child’s overall growth, education and sport must go hand in hand. With our residential elite cricket academy at Sandeepni Gurukul, we are creating a structured and secure environment where young players can dream big, train professionally, and grow with confidence. If this platform can help create even one future India player or the next Shikhar Dhawan, it will be a proud moment for all of us. More importantly, I hope this initiative inspires many more kids to pick up sports and believe in themselves.”
Highlighting the larger vision behind the academy, Anshita Gupta, Group CEO of Da One, said, “This residential academy reflects the very foundation of Da One, building pathways, not just facilities. We aim to create an environment where education and high-performance sport coexist seamlessly. Sandeepni Gurukul and Pathankot gives us access to an untapped talent base and the opportunity to offer a structured, trusted ecosystem for young athletes. We firmly believe that education and sport, when nurtured together, can unlock extraordinary potential.”
Speaking on the collaboration, Sahil Mahajan, Founder Chairman of Sandeepni Gurukul, said, “We aspire to build the biggest cricket centre in Pathankot, where students from across the region can come to train at a professional level while managing their studies seamlessly. As an educational institution, our focus has always been on offering the best of both sports and academics, and this partnership with Da One Sports further strengthens that belief.”
Located in Pathankot, a strategic gateway for cricketing talent from North India, the academy is expected to attract aspiring players and families looking for a model that ensures sporting excellence alongside academic stability. More than just a training centre, the residential academy aims to identify and nurture future champions while inspiring children to view sports as a meaningful and aspirational career choice.
With this launch, Da One Sports reinforces its commitment to building purpose-led sports institutions focused on long-term athlete development and shaping the next generation of confident, high-performing Indian cricketers.
