DPL 2026: Shikhar Dhawan hails South Delhi Superstarz title win
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Former India cricketer and South Delhi Superstarz co-owner Shikhar Dhawan congratulated his franchise on clinching the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 title at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, 31 August, calling the moment a powerful reminder of sport's ability to transform lives.
A Commanding Final Victory
South Delhi Superstarz sealed the DPL 2026 crown with a commanding seven-wicket win over Central Delhi Kings, successfully chasing 183 with 10 balls to spare. Ankit Dabas and Anmol Sharma were the architects of the chase, each scoring 62 runs to power the side to a dominant finish.
What Dhawan Said
Dhawan, who was present at the stadium for the final and joined the players in their post-match celebrations, shared his thoughts on social media. 'Watching South Delhi Superstarz become Delhi Premier League champions, right there at the final, was a moment I'll carry with me,' he wrote in an Instagram post.
He also underscored his deeper motivation for investing in cricket at the franchise level. '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,' Dhawan added. He reserved special praise for the squad and support staff: 'Congratulations to every player, coach and member of the Superstarz family. You have shown what happens when talent meets opportunity, belief and hard work.'
Franchise Achieves Historic Double
The title marks a landmark moment for the South Delhi Superstarz franchise. Their women's team won the DPL in 2025, and the men's side has now followed with the 2026 crown — making it back-to-back title triumphs across genders in successive editions. Notably, the franchise's women's team is also set to feature in the final of the ongoing season on Wednesday, raising the prospect of an unprecedented double in the same year.
Dhawan's Broader Sporting Vision
Dhawan, who serves as Chairman of Da One Group and Founder of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, co-owns the South Delhi Superstarz through Da One Sports. Beyond the DPL, his organisation supports academies and sporting programmes, including a High Performance Centre in Gwalior and grassroots initiatives in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir. After the final, Dhawan took a lap of honour around the stadium, signing autographs and distributing team jerseys among fans — a gesture that underlined his personal connection to the franchise's success.
With the women's final still to come, the South Delhi Superstarz story in the DPL 2026 season is not yet over.