A legendary piece of Australian sporting history, Sir Donald Bradman's baggy green cap from his final Test match on home soil, is poised to find a new owner for the first time in over seventy years. The iconic cap, worn by The Don when he scored his 100th first-class century, has returned to Sydney and will be auctioned off, with experts hailing it as the "holy grail" of cricket collectables.
The Historic Gesture Behind the Cap
The story of this particular baggy green is one of remarkable sportsmanship. It was gifted by Bradman to Indian bowler Sriranga Sohoni during India's inaugural Test tour after gaining independence in 1947-48. After the young bowler failed to dismiss the legendary batsman, Bradman placed a comforting arm around him and famously put his own baggy green on Sohoni's head. This gesture was intended to ensure the touring side was not too disheartened.
For the next seven decades, the Sohoni family in Mumbai became the custodians of this priceless artefact. They safeguarded it behind a glass cabinet, with a strict family rule that members could not view it until they turned 16 years old. Now, after three generations, the family has decided to share this piece of history with the world, sending it back to Australia for sale.
Frenzied Bidding and Record Potential
The auction, managed by Lloyds Auctions, has already sparked intense interest from collectors and cricket enthusiasts globally. The bidding opened at just $1 and rapidly escalated, reaching a high bid of $445,000 by Saturday, with nine days still remaining in the auction process.
This cap's value is underscored by its extreme rarity. It is one of only 11 known Bradman baggy greens in existence. Experts suggest its value as an investment is strong, likely to appreciate over time, and it could even reach the million-dollar mark. For context, Bradman's debut 1928 baggy green sold for $450,000 in 2020. The current record for a baggy green is held by Shane Warne's cap, which fetched $1,007,500 for bushfire relief in 2020, though Warne only ever wore one cap throughout his career.
Final Tour Before Australia Day Sale
Before the hammer falls on Australia Day, the historic Test cap will be placed on public display for fans to see in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This offers a rare public viewing opportunity for an item intrinsically linked to Sir Donald Bradman, who retired with a near-mythical Test batting average of 99.94.
The auction of this cap represents a unique moment in sporting memorabilia history, blending Australia's cricketing legacy with a timeless story of generosity between competitors. Its sale will mark the end of a 74-year chapter with one family and the beginning of a new one for a collector willing to secure a true piece of sporting iconography.
