Former India player Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot
Indian cricket has found a new magnet for young talent. Former India player Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot. It will be located at the Sandeepni Gurukul school in the city, Punjab state.
Former India player Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot: new format
The academy promises to be a fulfilling start to a lifelong journey for teenagers dreaming of sports. Professional cricket training, a comprehensive curriculum, regular competitions and a safe campus life — all in one place. The dream of many parents who are torn between the choice of sports or studies.
“I’ve always believed that education and sports should go hand in hand for a child’s overall growth,” says Shikhar Dhawan, founder of Da One Sports. His words sound not like a corporate slogan, but like a personal conviction drawn from a long career. He wants to create an environment where young players can dream big, train professionally, and grow with confidence.
Former India player Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot, and the project’s philosophy is being developed by Anshita Gupta, CEO of Da One. She talks about building pathways, not just objects. A clever formulation that hits the mark. After all, you can build a pitch with a perfect lawn, but without a clear developmental trajectory for the student, it will remain just a pitch. The emphasis is on a holistic ecosystem where high athletic performance and academics naturally coexist.
Former India player Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot: real tasks
The choice of location is a separate strategic move. Pathankot is called the gateway for cricket talent in North India. A region full of potential, but not spoiled by such a level of infrastructure. Collaborating with Sandeepni Gurukul, a local educational organization, seems like a logical step to becoming more rooted in the community.
“We aim to build the largest cricket centre in Pathankot,” says Sahil Mahajan, the founder of the school. His words add scale and ambition to the project. For him, the partnership is a reinforcement of his long-held belief in the symbiosis of sport and academic knowledge.
Former India player Shikhar Dhawan launches Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot, and of course, after all big announcements, the question of implementation always arises. Creating a balanced environment where the pressure of selection and training doesn’t overwhelm childhood, and where academic workload doesn’t hinder progress on the pitch, is no easy task. This is the very nuance that determines the success of such initiatives. Dhawan’s experience as an international player is invaluable, but running an academy is a completely different ballgame.
This initiative, if all goes as planned, could be a game-changer for many families. It offers a model where a sports career ceases to be a risky leap into the unknown and becomes a structured educational path. This is a chance for the region to establish itself on the Indian cricket map not just through the names of individual players, but through an entire training system. It remains to be seen how this beautiful idea will become a reality.
