A Historic Cricket Treasure Goes Under the Hammer
In a moment that has thrilled cricket lovers and collectors alike, the Bradman Baggy Green cap auction has made global headlines. The iconic cap worn by Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 Test series against independent India was auctioned for 460,000 Australian dollars (around ₹2.92 crore) at an auction held in Gold Coast, Australia. The buyer remains anonymous, but the cap’s journey and history have captured worldwide attention.
This was not just a piece of sportswear—it was a living symbol of cricket history, connecting two nations at a defining moment after India’s independence.
Locked Away for 75 Years: A Rare Family Legacy
What makes this auction even more special is the story behind the cap. After the historic series, Don Bradman gifted the Baggy Green cap to Indian opening bowler Sriranga “Ranga” Sohoni (S.W. Sohoni). The Sohoni family preserved the cap privately for nearly 75 years, never putting it on public display.
According to Lee Hames, COO of Lloyds Auctions, the cap was treated as a sacred heirloom.
“It was locked away for three generations. Only when a family member turned 16 were they allowed to view it—for just five minutes,” Hames said, calling it “the most priceless treasure in the world of cricket.”
A Cap Linked to India’s First Ball as an Independent Nation
Ranga Sohoni may have played only the first Test of the 1947-48 series, but his place in history is permanent. He bowled the first ball of independent India in Test cricket, a moment that still resonates with Indian fans today. Though he did not take a wicket, the symbolic value of that over remains unmatched.
Bradman gifting his cap after the series turned it into a rare bridge between Indian and Australian cricket history.
Unique Details That Boost Its Value
Inside the cap, the names D.G. Bradman and S.W. Sohoni are handwritten, while “1947-48” is embroidered beneath the Australian emblem. Experts note that only 11 Baggy Green caps worn by Bradman are known to exist, as players in that era received a new cap for each series.
This rarity significantly boosted interest in the Bradman Baggy Green cap auction.
How It Compares to Other Record Auctions
The record for the most expensive Baggy Green cap still belongs to Shane Warne, whose cap sold for around ₹5.90 crore in 2020, with proceeds donated to bushfire relief. Bradman’s 1928 debut cap was also sold in 2020 for about ₹2.65 crore, showing the enduring value of cricket memorabilia.
Why This Auction Matters Today
At a time when sports heritage is gaining renewed appreciation, this auction reminds fans that cricket is more than statistics—it is memory, legacy, and shared history. As interest in rare memorabilia grows, such moments reconnect modern audiences with the roots of the game.
Practical takeaway: For collectors and fans, this sale reinforces that authentic sports artifacts, backed by strong historical narratives, continue to gain both emotional and financial value.
