New Delhi: Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has congratulated his South Delhi Superstarz side after the franchise clinched the Delhi Premier League 2026 title at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, calling the win a powerful reminder of “the power of sport.”
Dhawan, Chairman of Da One Group and Founder of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, co-owns the franchise through Da One Sports. Sharing his pride on Instagram after the final, he wrote: “Watching South Delhi Superstarz become Delhi Premier League champions, right there at the final, was a moment I’ll carry with me.”
The triumph underlines Dhawan’s growing role in Indian sport beyond his playing career. Through Da One Sports, he supports multiple academies and development programmes, including a High Performance Centre in Gwalior and initiatives in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir.
The achievement also strengthens South Delhi Superstarz’s recent dominance in the DPL. The franchise has now secured titles with both its men’s and women’s teams across the last two editions—the women lifting the 2025 crown, and the men following up with the 2026 championship. The women’s side has also reached the final of the ongoing season, scheduled for Wednesday.
For Dhawan, the success goes beyond silverware. “What excites me most isn’t just the trophies. It’s seeing young cricketers get a platform, take responsibility, play without fear and discover what they are capable of,” he said in his post.
Present at the Arun Jaitley Stadium for the final, Dhawan joined the team’s celebrations and later took a lap of honour around the ground. Fans thronged him as he signed autographs and handed out South Delhi Superstarz jerseys.
“Congratulations to every player, coach and member of the Superstarz family,” he added. “You have shown what happens when talent meets opportunity, belief and hard work.”
On the field, South Delhi Superstarz sealed the title in emphatic fashion, defeating Central Delhi Kings by seven wickets while chasing 183 with 10 balls to spare. Ankit Dabas and Anmol Sharma both scored 62 in the successful chase.
