Sir Don Bradman's Baggy Green From Historic India Series Fetches Record $460,000 At Auction

A treasured piece of cricketing history resurfaced on Monday when a “Baggy Green” cap worn by Sir Don Bradman during Australia’s 1947-48 series against India was sold for an astounding $460,000 at a Gold Coast auction. This sale set a new record for the highest price ever achieved for a cap worn by the legendary Australian batter, highlighting Bradman’s enduring legacy in the sport and the immense historical value of memorabilia associated with him.

The cap carries a deeply personal story. Bradman had gifted it to Indian cricketer Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni during that historic series, and Sohoni’s family safeguarded the priceless artefact for over seven decades. The meticulous preservation of the cap is one of the most remarkable aspects of its

history.

Lee Hames, the chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, noted, “That’s over three generations under lock and key. If you were a family member, you were only allowed to look at it when you were 16 years old for five minutes.”

The cap, which has the names “D.G. Bradman” and “S.W. Sohoni” inscribed on the inside, remains in remarkable condition despite its age. It features the Australian cricket coat of arms and “1947-48” embroidered underneath, serving as a tangible link to a defining era of Test cricket. Hames described it as a “holy grail of cricket” before the bidding began, a sentiment shared by collectors and historians alike.

During the auction, Hames also emphasised the emotional significance behind the sale, mentioning that Sohoni’s “dying wish was to have the cap return to Australian shores.” He reiterated the extraordinary secrecy surrounding the item, stating, “It has been hidden for 75 years, that’s over three generations under lock and key… If you were a family member, you were only allowed to look at it when you were 16 years old for five minutes.”

Who Bought It?

The cap was purchased by an anonymous bidder and is expected to be displayed at an Australian museum, ensuring public access to this slice of sporting heritage. Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, played 52 Tests and ended with a near-mythical average of 99.94.

Only 11 Bradman baggy greens are known to exist, dating back to a time when players wore a new cap for each series. Previous Bradman caps have commanded significant sums, including $450,000 for his debut cap in 2020 and $479,700 for a “sun-faded and worn” version sold in 2024. However, the overall record for a baggy green belongs to Shane Warne, whose cap raised $1,007,500 for bushfire relief in 2020.

(With inputs from Agencies)