The former India opener underlined that his achievements and career-defining moments were not accidental but intentional. From a young age, he began writing down his goals, visualising outcomes, and aligning his actions with those aspirations — principles that form the backbone of The One
Celebrated cricketer and entrepreneur Shikhar Dhawan unveiled his autobiography, The One: Cricket, My Life and More, at a special event held in the national capital on Sunday. The unveiling offered Dhawan an opportunity to reflect on the mindset and discipline that shaped both his sporting career and his life beyond the cricket field.
Held in association with BMW Deutsche Motoren, HarperCollins, and the Trends Literature Series, the event highlighted the core pillars of Dhawan’s journey, according to a press release. Central to the book is the concept of manifestation, which Dhawan described as a guiding force behind his rise as an international cricketer and his continued pursuits as an entrepreneur and mentor.
The former India opener underlined that his achievements and career-defining moments were not accidental but intentional. From a young age, he began writing down his goals, visualising outcomes, and aligning his actions with those aspirations — principles that form the backbone of The One.
Dhawan explained that the philosophies documented in the book closely align with the mission of his venture, Da One Group, which focuses on structured athlete development, accessible grassroots pathways, and long-term capacity building in Indian sport. He also highlighted the work of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, which operates across education and community initiatives, reinforcing his commitment to social impact alongside sporting excellence.
“As with everything I achieved in my career, I manifested this book and the purpose it serves,” Dhawan said. “The One is a reflection of the mindset that shaped my journey, and I hope it inspires the champions of tomorrow. The same principles now guide my vision for the Da One Group and the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation. I want both ventures to play a pivotal role in India’s rise as a sporting nation and in creating opportunities in education and community development.”
Anshita Gupta, Group CEO of Da One, echoed the sentiment, stating that the organisation’s focus remains on building sustainable ecosystems rather than short-term success. “Sport and education together can create real opportunity. Our responsibility is to translate intent into structured, scalable platforms that create sustained impact,” she said.
Dhawan concluded by reaffirming his belief that India is entering a defining phase in its sporting evolution, emphasising that mindset, opportunity, and institutional support will be critical in shaping the next generation of talent.
