Donald Bradman's iconic 'Baggy Green' auctioned for $250,000

One of the greats of world cricket, Australia's Donald Bradman's Baggy Green was sold for $250,000 (INR 2.11 crore approx). The auction lasted 10 minutes in which the starting price was $160,000 (INR 1.35 crore approx). The total cost of the prized asset was $310,000 once "buyer's premium" fees was taken into consideration.

The 80-year-old cap is slightly dilapidated, showing signs of damage by insects and also had a torn peak. The cap was worn by Bradman during India's 1947-48 tour of Australia, his last Test series on home soil.  

Bonhams also mentioned that it was "the only known baggy green" worn by Bradman during the series, as quoted by France 24. Bradman was the leading run-scorer in the series, as he amassed 715 runs in six innings at an average of 178.75. Australia won by a comfortable 4-0 margin. Interestingly, the Baggy Green worn by Bradman during his Test debut in 1928 was auctioned for $290,000 in 2020. 

However, it was way lesser than the $650,000 paid for the coveted Baggy Green of leg-spinning great, Shane Warne. Notably, he had put it up for sale to aid the victims of the Australian bushfire earlier in the year.  

The Don retired with an all-time-high Test batting average of 99.94. The cricketing genius has also been cited by Wisden as the greatest to "have ever graced the gentleman's game". In the 52 matches, Bradman racked up a total of 6,996 runs - comprising 29 hundreds and 13 half-centuries. Bradman holds a host of records to his name.  

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He passed away in 2001 aged 92, but his legacy remains timeless and continues to inspire the cricket community across the globe.