Sir Don Bradman’s long-hidden Baggy Green cap, worn during Australia’s iconic 1947–48 Test series against India, is finally heading to public auction — sparking huge excitement among cricket lovers, historians, and elite collectors worldwide. Considered one of cricket’s most precious relics, the cap has remained unseen in private ownership for more than 75 years after Bradman gifted it to Indian cricketer Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni.
The historic piece will be auctioned by Australia’s Lloyds Auctions, with online bidding starting at just A$1 and closing on January 26, 2026, coinciding with Australia Day. Auction experts believe the cap’s rare availability and untouched family provenance make it one of the most remarkable cricket memorabilia items to ever reach the market.
A Cap from a Defining Cricketing Chapter
The 1947–48 India tour marked the country’s first Test series in Australia post-Independence and ended 4–0 in Australia’s favour, with one match drawn. Bradman, nearing the twilight of his illustrious career, dominated the series with a phenomenal 725 runs in six innings at an astonishing average of 178.75 — including four centuries and a double century, figures still considered unreal in Test cricket history.
During that era, cricketers often received separate Test caps for specific tours rather than their entire careers, which makes surviving Bradman tour-specific caps extremely rare. Adding to its historical depth, the cap was personally presented to Sohoni and carefully preserved within his family — never circulating through collectors or dealers.
Lloyds Auctions confirmed that the cap will be sold with detailed documentation verifying its authenticity and heritage. Describing it as a “museum-grade artefact,” the auction house highlighted that its single-family custody significantly strengthens its authenticity and sentimental weight.
How Much Could It Sell For?
While Lloyds has not issued an official price estimate, past records provide insight. A Bradman Baggy Green from his 1928 debut season sold for A$450,000 in 2020. Meanwhile, Shane Warne’s Baggy Green holds the record as the most expensive Australian cricket cap ever sold, fetching A$1,007,500 at a charity auction.
Given its rarity, emotional value, Bradman legacy connection, and India-Australia historical significance, experts believe the cap could easily cross seven figures if bidding enthusiasm matches expectations.
Beyond its potential price tag, historians say the auction represents something deeper — a legendary cricket artefact reconnecting with the world after decades in private care, symbolising one of the most influential eras in Test cricket and the timeless bond between India and Australia.