A treasured piece of cricket history is making its way back to Sydney, and for the first time in more than seven decades, it will have a new owner. The baggy green cap, worn by Sir Donald Bradman during his final home Test—where he notched his 100th first-class century—is heading to auction, already being hailed as “the holy grail” of cricket memorabilia.
The story behind the cap is as remarkable as the man who wore it. During India’s first Test tour of Australia following independence in 1947, a young Indian bowler, S.W. Sohoni, faced off against Bradman and failed to dismiss him. In a moment that reflected the true spirit of sportsmanship, Bradman placed the cap on Sohoni’s head and offered words of encouragement, understanding that India’s fledgling team needed morale more than humiliation.
The cap remained in Sohoni’s family home west of Mumbai for more than 75 years, preserved behind glass and shielded from casual eyes. Strict family rules meant that no one could touch or even look at it until they were 16. Over three generations, the cap became a symbol of pride, a silent testament to the historic encounter between India and the Australian cricketing legend.
Now, the cap is being shared with the world. “The bidding started at just $1, so you can imagine the calls never stopped,” said Lee Hames of Lloyds Auctions. By Saturday, the highest bid had already reached $445,000, with nine days still remaining before the auction closes on January 26. Collectors and cricket enthusiasts from across the globe are watching closely, anticipating bids that could reach into seven figures.
The cap itself is a piece of Australian heritage. Worn during the 1947–48 series against India, Bradman amassed 715 runs at an astonishing average of 178.75, including a match-winning 201 in Adelaide. The series marked his final home Test before concluding his career with the 1948 Ashes tour in England. Only 11 of Bradman’s baggy greens are known to exist today, making this auction a rare opportunity for collectors to own a tangible piece of cricketing history.
“This is a genuine piece of cricket history personally gifted by Sir Donald Bradman,” Hames said. “Its uninterrupted family ownership for 75 years and its direct link to ‘The Don’ make it one of the most significant Bradman-related items to ever come to auction.”
Bradman, often revered as “The Don,” retired in 1948 with a Test batting average of 99.94, a record that remains one of the greatest statistical achievements in sport. His baggy greens are highly prized; his first cap from the 1928 debut season sold for $450,000 in 2020, while Shane Warne’s cap fetched $1,007,500 in 2020 to raise funds for bushfire relief.
The cap’s journey also highlights the enduring bond between Australian and Indian cricket. India first faced Australia in 1935–36 during a series organised by the Maharaja of Patiala. The visiting Australians, largely retired players, were impressed when India levelled the series 2-2, prompting then-captain Jack Ryder to predict that India “will one day emerge as a team of great repute.”
More than a decade later, India’s newly independent team toured Australia, meeting Bradman on the field for the first time. For many Indian players, it was a privilege to see the man they regarded as “the god of cricket” score centuries with effortless elegance. Bradman, in turn, engaged with the team with both competitiveness and generosity, gifting the baggy green to Sohoni as a gesture of encouragement that has now become legendary.
The auction, which will close on Australia Day, is attracting interest from private collectors, museums, institutions, and fans worldwide. For one lucky bidder, the baggy green offers not just a chance to own an item of incredible monetary value, but a direct connection to one of cricket’s most iconic figures—a symbol of sportsmanship, history, and the enduring legacy of Sir Donald Bradman.
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