Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, widely regarded as one of the finest batters in the country’s cricketing history, has made a heartfelt contribution to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). He has donated his Test sweater and blazer to the upcoming Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum, which will be inaugurated on Saturday, August 23. The museum is designed to honour Mumbai’s rich cricketing heritage and preserve its glorious past for future generations.
The donation carries deep historical value. The sweater, in particular, is iconic—Vengsarkar wore it during the Lord’s Test in June 1986, where he scored a magnificent unbeaten 126 against England. His knock played a decisive role in India’s famous five-wicket victory under Kapil Dev’s captaincy, a triumph that remains etched as one of India’s most memorable overseas wins.
In a conversation with Mid-Day, Dilip Vengsarkar explained the sentiment behind his gesture. “I have given MCA the sweater I wore during the 1986 Lord’s Test. I had used it throughout that tour of England. I have also given my India blazer, though I don’t recall exactly which series I wore it in. In the future too, I will donate my bats and other gear to the museum,” he revealed.
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The veteran batter, who represented India from the mid-1970s until 1992, emphasised his lifelong connection with MCA.
“Right from the age of 12, when I played the Giles Shield, till my retirement in 1992, MCA has been central to my career. Every official supported me, whether in school, college, university, office, club, or while playing for Mumbai and India. We always represented Mumbai with immense pride. Whatever I’ve achieved is because of Mumbai cricket,” Dilip Vengsarkar reflected.
With 6,868 Test runs and 3,508 ODI runs to his name, Vengsarkar has been a pillar of Indian batting. This is not his first such gesture; he previously donated memorabilia, including a helmet and blazer, to the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association museum in Indore.
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He firmly believes these contributions can inspire youngsters. “When young cricketers see international players’ bats, gloves, sweaters, or even a bowler’s shoes, they feel motivated to work harder,” he said.
The 1986 Lord’s Test remains unforgettable—not only for Vengsarkar’s century but also for Kapil Dev’s heroics, including four wickets and a blistering cameo that sealed the chase in style.
