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Auction Replay- cricket memorabilia sold for charity: Deccan Herald
Bangalore, Sept 13: A fitting climax to a memorable evening. That was the general consensus as, after a thrilling battle of bids and counter-bids, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar`s blazing willow was snapped up by Venu Nambiar for Rs 3 lakh following a titanic struggle with some of India`s brightest emerging stars to bring the curtain down on Auction Replay, an auction of cricketing memorabilia to raise money for charities involved in tending to the underprivileged.
Bangalore, Sept 13: A fitting climax to a memorable evening. That was the general consensus as, after a thrilling battle of bids and counter-bids, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s blazing willow was snapped up by Venu Nambiar for Rs 3 lakh following a titanic struggle with some of India’s brightest emerging stars to bring the curtain down on Auction Replay, an auction of cricketing memorabilia to raise money for charities involved in tending to the underprivileged.
The talking point about Auction Replay — also supported by Le Meridien and Jet Airways — was not just that the entire Indian World Cup squad was in attendance; it was about the coming together of those more fortunate than some others in a bid to try and make a difference to a few lives. If anything, the cricketers once again led by example. It isn’t an acknowledged or well-publicised fact that India’s favourite sons, who some wrongly believe are a pampered lot, do as much for charity as some of the other more visible cricketers from outside the country. As that top-quality master of ceremonies Harsha Bhogle pointed out, “It is not as if our cricketers do any less; it is just that they are not as vocal about it as some others are.”
Bhogle was at his charming, persuasive best, coaxing an initially reluctant audience to shed its inhibitions and contribute generously. His efforts bore fruit, for after a somewhat hesitant start, the show really sprang to life, the bid for the commemorative bat autographed by India’s NatWest Trophy-winning squad sending the adrenaline flowing. While the crowning glory of the evening was Nambiar’s successful bid for the Tendulkar willow as he steadfastly beat back the challenges of, among others, Indian stars Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag, there were other moments to savour as well.
Former England captain Tony Greig became the proud owner of the ball with which India’s first Test hat-trick was recorded, Harbhajan Singh’s selfless offering going for Rs 55,000. National selection committee chairman Brijesh Patel picked up Sourav Ganguly’s willow for Rs 30,000, while the captain himself bought Anil Kumble’s blazer worn on the 1993 tour of Sri Lanka for Rs 25,000. “This holds a special significance for me,” Ganguly said. “After all, it was the last time India won a Test series overseas.”
“I am sure the blazer we wear on the 2003-04 tour of Australia will soon replace this 1993 blazer as the most important apparel in Indian cricket history,” Kumble said as he gave away one of his more cherished belongings. It was an evening of great emotion and excellent witticism, and some of the most enjoyable moments were provided by the Hyderabadi duo of Bhogle and V V S Laxman. As Laxman’s ‘281 ton’ went for Rs 27,000 — bought by Pratima Hegde for her travelling husband — asked Laxman if he had grown out of the shadow of that epochal 281 against the Aussies in Kolkata. “It’s time to move on,” Laxman said. “Hopefully, when we tour Australia this year, with the support of my mates, I will make a triple century.”
“303 ton it could be, the next time the Laxman bat goes under the hammer,” Bhogle offered, to which the stylish batsman said, “It could even be 375!” The last words came from Tendulkar: “We had a similar auction some time back also, and that time too, Deccan Herald were involved like they are now. We cricketers are happy that we have had the opportunity to contribute our bit to the society.”
What some of the items fetched: Dravid’s keeping gloves (Rs 11,000); Ganguly’s bat (Rs 30,000); Tendulkar’s t-shirt (Rs 28,000); Dravid’s bat (Rs 40,000); Harbhajan’s hat-trick ball (Rs 55,000); Tendulkar’s gloves (Rs 55,000); Kumble’s blazer (Rs 25,000); Tendulkar’s bat (Rs 3,00,000).
The talking point about Auction Replay — also supported by Le Meridien and Jet Airways — was not just that the entire Indian World Cup squad was in attendance; it was about the coming together of those more fortunate than some others in a bid to try and make a difference to a few lives. If anything, the cricketers once again led by example. It isn’t an acknowledged or well-publicised fact that India’s favourite sons, who some wrongly believe are a pampered lot, do as much for charity as some of the other more visible cricketers from outside the country. As that top-quality master of ceremonies Harsha Bhogle pointed out, “It is not as if our cricketers do any less; it is just that they are not as vocal about it as some others are.”
Bhogle was at his charming, persuasive best, coaxing an initially reluctant audience to shed its inhibitions and contribute generously. His efforts bore fruit, for after a somewhat hesitant start, the show really sprang to life, the bid for the commemorative bat autographed by India’s NatWest Trophy-winning squad sending the adrenaline flowing. While the crowning glory of the evening was Nambiar’s successful bid for the Tendulkar willow as he steadfastly beat back the challenges of, among others, Indian stars Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag, there were other moments to savour as well.
Former England captain Tony Greig became the proud owner of the ball with which India’s first Test hat-trick was recorded, Harbhajan Singh’s selfless offering going for Rs 55,000. National selection committee chairman Brijesh Patel picked up Sourav Ganguly’s willow for Rs 30,000, while the captain himself bought Anil Kumble’s blazer worn on the 1993 tour of Sri Lanka for Rs 25,000. “This holds a special significance for me,” Ganguly said. “After all, it was the last time India won a Test series overseas.”
“I am sure the blazer we wear on the 2003-04 tour of Australia will soon replace this 1993 blazer as the most important apparel in Indian cricket history,” Kumble said as he gave away one of his more cherished belongings. It was an evening of great emotion and excellent witticism, and some of the most enjoyable moments were provided by the Hyderabadi duo of Bhogle and V V S Laxman. As Laxman’s ‘281 ton’ went for Rs 27,000 — bought by Pratima Hegde for her travelling husband — asked Laxman if he had grown out of the shadow of that epochal 281 against the Aussies in Kolkata. “It’s time to move on,” Laxman said. “Hopefully, when we tour Australia this year, with the support of my mates, I will make a triple century.”
“303 ton it could be, the next time the Laxman bat goes under the hammer,” Bhogle offered, to which the stylish batsman said, “It could even be 375!” The last words came from Tendulkar: “We had a similar auction some time back also, and that time too, Deccan Herald were involved like they are now. We cricketers are happy that we have had the opportunity to contribute our bit to the society.”
What some of the items fetched: Dravid’s keeping gloves (Rs 11,000); Ganguly’s bat (Rs 30,000); Tendulkar’s t-shirt (Rs 28,000); Dravid’s bat (Rs 40,000); Harbhajan’s hat-trick ball (Rs 55,000); Tendulkar’s gloves (Rs 55,000); Kumble’s blazer (Rs 25,000); Tendulkar’s bat (Rs 3,00,000).