Pathankot, 19 December (H.S.): Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, through his sports venture Da One Sports, on Friday inaugurated the company’s first Residential Elite Cricket Academy at the Sandipani Gurukul campus in Pathankot, Punjab. The initiative marks a significant step toward developing the next generation of Indian cricket talent, offering aspiring players a structured, secure, and high-performance platform to realise their sporting ambitions.

Designed on the philosophy that true champions are shaped by a balance of education and sport, the academy provides a long-term, holistic development pathway for young cricketers. Under one integrated campus, players will receive professional cricket coaching, structured academic education, competitive match exposure, and modern residential facilities, enabling them to grow with clarity, discipline, and confidence.

Speaking at the inauguration, Shikhar Dhawan, Founder of Da One Sports, said, “I’ve always believed that education and sport must go hand in hand for a child’s complete development. Our Residential Elite Cricket Academy at Sandipani Gurukul offers young players a safe and structured environment where they can dream big, train professionally, and grow with confidence. If this academy helps produce even one future Indian cricketer—or the next Shikhar Dhawan—it will be a matter of pride for us.

Most importantly, this platform will inspire children to embrace sport and believe in themselves.”

Anshita Gupta, CEO of Da One Group, said the academy embodies the company’s core vision of creating development pathways rather than merely providing infrastructure. “Our mission is to create an environment where world-class sport and education complement one another. Sandipani Gurukul and Pathankot give us access to a talent-rich region that has long awaited proper recognition. We firmly believe that when education and sport thrive together, extraordinary potential is unlocked,” she said.

Sahil Mahajan, Founder Chairman of Sandipani Gurukul, added, “Our goal is to develop Pathankot as a leading cricket hub where students from across the region can receive professional training while continuing their education seamlessly. As an academic institution, we have always been committed to excellence in both education and sport, and our partnership with Da One Sports strengthens that vision.”

More than just a training facility, the academy aims to become a centre for scouting, shaping, and developing the country’s future cricket champions, encouraging young players to view sports as a respectable and inspiring career path. With a focus on discipline, world-class coaching, and value-based growth, Da One Sports seeks to transform raw talent into high-performance excellence.

Located in Pathankot, considered the gateway to North India’s cricket talent belt, the academy is poised to attract students and families seeking a balance between athletic excellence and academic stability, setting a new benchmark for sports education in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar