Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, who led the team to a
remarkable 2-1 Test series victory against the visiting Australians
recently, was presented with a special Sir Donald Bradman cap on
Friday as part of a programme to honour the legendary batsman's first
club St George Club.
The Indian captain was presented with the prized gift at his Kolkata
residence by a representative of an Australian company dealing in Sir
Donald Bradman memorabilia.
Three other Indian cricketers -- batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, new
star V V S Laxman and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh -- had also been
selected for the special Bradman caps for their performance in the
recent India-Australia series. The three cricketers have already been
presented with the maroon cap with golden and yellow strips which also
has an embroidered bust of the late Bradman at the centre.
"It is indeed a great honour to receive this special cap. I am very
happy," the Indian captain said after receiving his cap. Ganguly has
also been presented a CD-ROM on the 'art of cricket' made by the
company to commemorate the occasion. "It will really be worth watching
the CD," he said.
On a request from the company, Ganguly presented one of his caps for
display at the State Library of New South Wales. The Indian captain
presented a cap which he had used during the recent home series
against Zimbabwe.
Sachin Tendulkar has also been requested to donate one of his caps for
a special exhibition of the World's Greatest Cricketers Caps to be
held at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney on August 28
this year.
The travelling caps exhibition will include caps signed by Wisden's
five cricketers of the century, including the English Test cap of Sir
Jack Hobbs.
Only 50 special caps have been made to honour the late Bradman's first
club St George Club where he played from 1926-32. Ray Lindwall and
Arthus Morris were some of the other greats who had played for the
club while leg-spinner Stuart MacGill had also represented the club.
The four Indian players were the first to receive the special Bradman
caps. "The caps are for their efforts in advancing the spirit of the
game and also for the Indian team's fightback in the recent series
against Australia," the representative said.