Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Worn during the 1947–48 Test series against independent India, later gifted to an Indian bowler
One of the most treasured artefacts in the history of cricket, the iconic ‘Baggy Green’ cap of Australian legend Sir Donald (Don) Bradman, has been sold at an auction for a record price. The auction, held on Australia’s Gold Coast, saw an anonymous buyer purchase the historic cap for 460,000 Australian dollars, which is approximately ₹2.92 crore in Indian currency. This is the same cap that Bradman wore during the 1947–48 Test series against India, the first series played by India after gaining independence.
The historical value of this cap goes far beyond its auction price. It is closely linked with a remarkable story of sportsmanship and mutual respect. After the conclusion of his final home Test series in 1947–48, Don Bradman gifted this very Baggy Green cap to India’s opening bowler of that tour, Shriranga Sohoni (S.W. Sohoni). The gesture symbolised the spirit of cricket at a time when the game was not just about competition, but also about deep personal bonds between players from different nations.
The Sohoni family preserved this priceless cap for nearly 75 years. During this long period, it was never displayed publicly, making it even more rare and exclusive. According to Lloyds Auctions Chief Operating Officer Lee Hames, the cap remained locked away across three generations. The family followed a strict rule: when a member turned 16 years old, they were allowed to view the cap for only five minutes. This tradition highlighted the reverence with which the family treated the historic memorabilia.
Lee Hames described the Baggy Green cap as “one of the most valuable treasures in the world of cricket.” He added that items connected to a legend like Don Bradman are not just collectibles, but living pieces of cricket history. The sale of this cap has once again underlined Bradman’s enduring legacy and the timeless respect he commands across the cricketing world.