A ‘Baggy Green’ cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 Test series against India will be auctioned next month. For the first time, it will be available to the public in the last seven decades.
More significantly, the cap has a historical value as Bradman finally gifted it to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni during a series that was India’s first overseas tour after Independence. Auctioneers expect strong interest from collectors and institutions worldwide due to the item’s rarity and provenance.
Unlike most surviving caps from Bradman’s era, many of which are preserved in museums or held in closely guarded private collections, this Baggy Green cap has never been displayed publicly or offered for sale. It has remained in continuous family ownership for more than 75 years, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
The 1947-48 cap comes from a series in which Australia completed a 4-0 sweep over India. During Bradman’s era, players were issued a new cap for each Test series, increasing the individual historical value of every surviving example. This cap is further distinguished by its direct association with a defining chapter in cricket history and the personal connection between Bradman and Sohoni.
Lee Hames of Lloyds Auctions described the item as “a genuine piece of cricket history that Sir Donald Bradman personally gifted.” The direct handover from Bradman to Sohoni during such a significant period adds to its appeal among collectors and historians.
