Over the years, there have been differences between the Chappell family and India. While the older brother Ian dared to ask Sachin to look in the mirror and retire, younger brother Greg wreaked havoc on Indian cricket in his stint as the coach. Yet, keeping the noble cause in mind, a bat signed by the winning Indian T20 team of the World Cup 2007 will be auctioned in the charity dinner.
The dinner by Chappell foundation will be held on May 24 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and one of the items on sale is a bat signed by the 2007 World T20-winning India side. The MS Dhoni-led team won that tournament in South Africa after defeating Pakistan in the final at Johannesburg.
ALSO READ: Yuzvendra Chahal to Seek help of Former Indian Spinner Before England Tour
Greg Chappell confirmed the move which will attract the attention of Sydney-based Indians at the dinner. He said, “Out of the 400-odd attendees, about 30 will be Indian-Australians (NRIs) who have each paid the $275 entrance to support the cause (The Chappell Foundation helps alleviate youth homelessness) in their adopted country. They will undoubtedly bid hotly for a couple of auction items with an Indian flavor, including a bat autographed by the 2007 T20 World Cup winning team,” he said.
The SCG is Chappell’s favorite ground where he had made 182 in his last Test 34 years ago. Brothers Ian and Trevor will also be in attendance but the cynosure of all eyes should be one of Don Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles”, Neil Harvey, who turns 90 on October 8.
Chappell further said, “There will also be NRI interest in bidding for premium seating at the Adelaide Oval when India play Australia later this year and for a hospitality suite at the SCG during the subsequent Sydney Test against India, in January 2019.”
ALSO :WATCH: Virat Kohli’s Fan Breached The Security For A Selfie
Sydney-based Indian businessman Darshak Mehta OAM, a member of Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India, is the chairman of the Chappell Foundation. Mehta was honored with an Order of Australia (equivalent to the Padma Shri) by the Australian government last year for his service to the Australian community. The Foundation is hoping to raise over $200,000 at the charity dinner.
Among other memorabilia include the MCC pullover worn by the great Frank Tyson during the 1958 Ashes. Tyson had gifted the pullover to veteran cricket journalist Makrand Waingankar, who has donated it for the charity.
