Top Indian cricketers on Friday night parted with some of their memorabilia at an auction for charity marked by several memorable moments.
The ball with which Harbhajan Singh achieved hat-trick, first by an Indian in Test cricket, was pocketed by former England cricket captain Tony Greig for Rs 55,000. "Since it's going for charity, I don't mind parting with it. I got a hat-trick because of people's blessings. With their blessings, I can get more hat-tricks," Harbhajan said.
The proceeds from the Auction Replay and a fund-raising dinner in Bangalore - an initiative of the cricketers themselves in collaboration with the English daily Deccan Herald - went to a select group of NGOs, including Helpage India, Apnalaya and Fame India.
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's bat attracted the highest bid of Rs. 300,000 by a cricket enthusiast, who gave his name as Venu.
His gloves went to the son of his former marketing agent Mark Mascarenhas, who was killed in a road accident. The ex-WorldTel chief's sister paid Rs 55,000 for the pair.
In a touching gesture, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly picked up the blazer Anil Kumble used during the 1993 tour of Sri Lanka, which India won, with a bid of Rs 25,000.
Around Rs 650,000 was raised at the auction.