PATHANKOT, Punjab: Da One Sports, founded by cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, Friday announced the launch of its first residential cricket academy at Sandeepni Gurukul, Pathankot, in Punjab.
The initiative has the stated aim to “inspire young talent from across the country, while also providing a strong platform for promising players from the region”.
Per an official release, the residential programme has been designed as a holistic, long-term pathway for aspiring cricketers. The academy will offer professional cricket coaching, structured academics, competitive exposure, and a safe residential ecosystem, all under one roof, thus enabling young athletes to pursue excellence with clarity and confidence.
Announcing the launch, Dhawan 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.”
Da One Group CEO Anshita Gupta opined, “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.”
Sahil Mahajan, founder chairman of Sandeepni Gurukul added: “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.”
Situated in Pathankot, a strategic gateway for cricketing talent from North India, the academy is expected to attract aspiring players and their families seeking a comprehensive model that combines sporting excellence with academic stability.
