A piece of cricketing history achieved unprecedented recognition at a Gold Coast auction on Monday when Don Bradman’s iconic ‘Baggy Green’ cap from the 1947-48 series against India fetched $460,000. This remarkable price establishes a new benchmark for memorabilia associated with the legendary Australian batsman, surpassing the previous record set just two years prior.
The cap’s extraordinary journey spans seven decades, originating as a personal gift from Bradman to Indian cricketer Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni following their historic series. Remarkably preserved by Sohoni’s family across three generations, the artifact remained under stringent protective measures. Family tradition dictated that relatives could only view the cap for five minutes upon reaching their sixteenth birthday, according to Lee Hames, Chief Operating Officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers.
The historically significant headwear, bearing both Bradman’s and Sohoni’s inscriptions inside the band, has maintained exceptional condition despite its age. This preservation quality significantly contributed to its valuation, particularly when contrasted with another Bradman cap that sold for $311,000 in 2024 despite evident sun damage and insect deterioration.
The anonymous winning bidder has arranged for public display at an Australian museum, ensuring cricket enthusiasts worldwide can appreciate this tangible connection to sporting greatness. Bradman’s statistical dominance remains unmatched in cricket history, with his test batting average of 99.94 standing approximately 40 runs above any other player in the sport’s history across his 52-test career.