Cricket bats are usually valued for their craftsmanship and performance, but some become priceless pieces of sporting history because of the moments they have witnessed.
The bats used by MS Dhoni, Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Garfield Sobers rank among the most expensive cricket bats sold at auctions, thanks to their links with iconic performances.
MS Dhoni's 2011 World Cup Final Bat
MS Dhoni's bat became a symbol of India's 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph. Dhoni used it to hit the winning six against Sri Lanka at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, ending India's 28-year wait for the ODI World Cup title.
The Reebok-branded bat was auctioned at a charity event in London in July 2011 for £100,000, equivalent to approximately ₹72 lakh at the time. Indian investment group R K Global Shares and Securities purchased it, with the auction organised to raise funds for the Sakshi Foundation, which supports underprivileged children.
Don Bradman's 1934 Ashes Bat
Sir Donald Bradman's bat from the 1934 Ashes series later surpassed Dhoni's bat in auction value. The William Sykes & Son bat was used during Bradman's remarkable performances against England, including scores of 304 at Headingley and 244 at The Oval.
The bat was sold in December 2021 for more than $245,500, or approximately ₹1.9 crore. It carries the scores from those innings and an inscription identifying it as Bradman's personal bat. The buyer, an Australian collector, subsequently placed it on display at the Bradman Museum in Bowral, Australia.
Gary Sobers' Six-Sixes Bat
West Indies legend Gary Sobers made cricket history on August 31, 1968, when he hit six sixes in one over against Glamorgan while playing for Nottinghamshire in a County Championship match at Swansea. He struck spinner Malcolm Nash for six consecutive maximums, becoming the first batter to achieve the feat in first-class cricket.
The short-handled Slazenger bat used during the historic over was sold at an auction in Melbourne in 2000 for £54,257. It was purchased by an anonymous buyer and remains one of cricket's notable pieces of auctioned memorabilia.
These bats represent more than their original sporting purpose. Their auction values reflect the historic achievements associated with them and the lasting connection between legendary performances and cricket fans across generations.