Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan recently launched Da One Sports’ first-ever Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot. Set up at Sandeepni Gurukul, the academy is set to provide young cricketers with a structured environment that balances high-quality cricket training with formal education.

Founded by Dhawan, Da One Sports looks to create long-term development journeys for young athletes rather than short-term training centres. The launch of the residential academy visions at offering a holistic model that brings professional coaching, academics, and residential facilities under one roof. Located in Pathankot, the academy seeks to tap into an often-overlooked talent pool from the region while ensuring academic stability for students.

The Residential Elite Cricket Academy has been designed as a long-term development programme for aspiring cricketers. The facility will consist of professional coaching, structured academic support, and a safe residential place, enabling students to train. Announcing the initiative, Dhawan stated the importance of education alongside sport. 

“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," he said in a statement.

Furthermore, Anshita Gupta, Group CEO of Da One Sports, said the academy is the foundation of the organisation’s philosophy.

“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," she said.

Founder Chairman of Sandeepni Gurukul, Sahil Mahajan, opened up about the significance of the collaboration.

“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," he quipped.