Cricket is not just a game; it’s an emotion, especially when unforgettable matches and historic innings are involved. Over the years, cricket bats used in significant games have become prized possessions and valuable memorabilia, fetching astounding prices at auctions. Fans and collectors around the world vie for these bats, not just because of the wood and brand, but because of the moments they represent. From match-winning centuries to record-breaking feats, these bats carry the weight of history. This article dives deep into the top 10 cricketers who sold their most expensive bats in auctions after playing iconic matches.
List Of Players Who Sold Their Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction After Iconic Matches:
10. Chris Gayle 2012 T20I World Cup Bat – ₹40 Lakhs
Chris Gayle, famously known as the ‘Universe Boss,’ electrified the 2012 T20I World Cup with his power-packed performance for West Indies. Gayle smashed 222 runs in seven matches, playing a pivotal role in guiding his team to their first T20 World Cup victory. His bat, crafted by Spartan, bore the scars of his monstrous sixes and clean hits. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – the line resonates well with Gayle’s willow, which was later auctioned in 2021 for ₹40 Lakhs. The amount wasn’t just for the bat’s brand but for the memory it held — Gayle dancing after smashing boundaries, the Caribbean celebrations, and a tournament to remember. For fans, it was more than just memorabilia; it was a piece of history.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle | 2012 | T20I World Cup | Spartan | ₹40 Lakhs |
9. AB de Villiers 2015 Century Bat – ₹45 Lakhs
When AB de Villiers scored the fastest century in ODI history in 2015, cricket fans around the globe watched in awe. Facing West Indies, he brought up his ton in just 31 balls, using a Kookaburra bat that became iconic overnight. Known for his 360-degree shots, de Villiers showcased the best of innovative batting that day. The bat used during this match, a blend of precision and aggression, was sold for ₹45 Lakhs in auction. In the middle of this stunning narrative lies the sentiment – Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – and AB’s bat firmly deserves that place. It’s a symbol of audacity, flair, and pure cricketing genius. Buyers saw it not just as wood and rubber but as a legacy worth investing in.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB de Villiers | 2015 | Fastest ODI Century | Kookaburra | ₹45 Lakhs |
8. Kumar Sangakkara 2014 T20 World Cup Bat – ₹50 Lakhs
Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lankan maestro, had his fairytale ending in T20 cricket in 2014 when he scored an unbeaten 52 runs in the final against India. That match-winning innings led Sri Lanka to lift the trophy, and his Kookaburra bat became a national treasure. Later, this same bat fetched ₹50 Lakhs in auction, making headlines and turning heads. It wasn’t just about the runs; it was about grace under pressure, discipline, and cricketing elegance. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – a phrase that perfectly complements Sangakkara’s storybook finish. His bat is now seen as a reminder of his sportsmanship and Sri Lanka’s crowning moment on the global stage.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2014 | T20 World Cup Final | Kookaburra | ₹50 Lakhs |
7. Steve Smith 2015 Ashes Century Bat – ₹60 Lakhs
Steve Smith’s performance in the 2015 Ashes series solidified his reputation as a modern-day Test great. Accumulating 508 runs in the series with a double century at Lord’s, Smith used a Kookaburra bat that saw him dispatch bowlers with finesse and technique. This very bat was auctioned for ₹60 Lakhs, and it’s easy to see why. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – Smith’s bat rightfully claims its spot among the elites. What makes this sale special is the fact that the Ashes is not just any series; it’s the oldest and most revered rivalry in cricket. Owning a bat from such a context means holding a piece of heritage, a chapter of cricket’s long-standing traditions.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 2015 | Ashes Series | Kookaburra | ₹60 Lakhs |
6. Virat Kohli 2018 Test Century Bat – ₹75 Lakhs
Virat Kohli’s dominance in 2018 across Test cricket was unmatched. With 1322 runs at an average of 55.03, Kohli was not just leading India; he was inspiring a generation. His MRF-sponsored bat, used during some of his most fluent centuries, was later auctioned for ₹75 Lakhs ($750K USD). The bat represented an era of aggression, confidence, and Indian cricket’s resurgence. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – Kohli’s bat speaks of leadership and legacy. Collectors who bid for this bat weren’t just interested in memorabilia; they were investing in the story of a captain who turned battles into statements.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 2018 | Test Century Matches | MRF | ₹75 Lakhs |
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5. Brian Lara 1994 Century Bat – ₹80 Lakhs
Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400-run innings in Antigua during 1994 against England is a chapter etched in cricketing folklore. The English willow bat he used became an extension of his flair and sheer class. Auctioned later for ₹80 Lakhs (about $1.2 Million), this bat symbolizes the highest individual score in Test cricket. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – and rightly so, as Lara’s bat stands as a monument to endurance, genius, and unshakable concentration. For fans and cricket historians, this was not just a bat; it was Lara’s brushstroke on the canvas of world cricket, sold to the highest bidder who valued greatness.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Lara | 1994 | 400* vs England (Test) | English Willow | ₹80 Lakhs |
4. Sachin Tendulkar 2003 World Cup Bat – ₹1 Crore
Sachin Tendulkar is a name that reverberates through every cricketing household. His performance in the 2003 World Cup was nothing short of legendary, with 673 runs in the tournament, including a memorable 98 against Pakistan. The MRF and Adidas bats he used during that campaign were auctioned in December 2021 for ₹1 Crore ($1 Million USD). Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – an inevitable title when it comes to the Master Blaster. The value of his bat lies in the emotion, the chants of “Sachin! Sachin!”, and a billion dreams riding on one man’s shoulders. It’s a bat that tells stories, stories of hopes, prayers, and unmatched greatness.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 2003 | World Cup Performances | MRF/Adidas | ₹1 Crore |
3. Gary Sobers 1968 Bat – ₹1.2 Crore
Sir Garfield Sobers etched his name in history in 1968 by hitting six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. That incredible feat made his Gray Nicolls bat iconic. Decades later, the bat was auctioned for ₹1.2 Crore (approximately $1.6 Million USD). Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – Sobers’ bat exemplifies timeless excellence. What made this bat special was not just the record but the revolutionary nature of the achievement. In a time when aggression wasn’t the norm, Sobers proved that cricket could be explosive, graceful, and groundbreaking all at once. The auction price wasn’t just for a bat; it was for a moment that changed the game’s boundaries.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Sobers | 1968 | Six Sixes in First-Class Game | Gray Nicolls | ₹1.2 Crore |
2. MS Dhoni 2011 World Cup Six-Hitting Bat – ₹1.5 Crore
MS Dhoni’s match-finishing six in the 2011 World Cup final is still fresh in every Indian cricket fan’s mind. That final stroke with his Reebok bat ended India’s 28-year-long World Cup drought and etched Dhoni’s legacy in golden letters. That same bat was auctioned for ₹1.5 Crore ($2 Million USD), setting a record in sports memorabilia sales. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – Dhoni’s bat isn’t just about the six; it’s about a billion hearts rejoicing, dreams realized, and the captain cool’s calm under pressure. The bat holds more value than many trophies, and it resides in the history books as one of cricket’s most emotional artifacts.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 2011 | World Cup Final | Reebok | ₹1.5 Crore |
1. Donald Bradman 1934 Ashes Series Bat – ₹1.9 Crore
Sir Donald Bradman is the very definition of cricketing excellence. In the 1934 Ashes series, he amassed 758 runs with an average of 94.75. His Kookaburra bat from that series is now housed in the Bradman Museum in Bowral after being auctioned for a staggering ₹1.9 Crore ($2.5 Million USD) in 2021. Most Expensive Cricket Bats in Auction – this phrase finds its pinnacle with Bradman’s bat. More than the runs, it’s the sheer aura of ‘The Don’ that elevates the bat’s worth. It’s not just an artifact; it’s a piece of cricket’s soul. For many, owning that bat is like possessing the crown jewel of the sport.
| Player | Year | Match/Event | Bat Brand | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Bradman | 1934 | Ashes Series | Kookaburra | ₹1.9 Crore |
