Sunil Gavaskar, Steve Waugh, Jacques Kallis and Wasim Akram are just some of the high-profile cricketers to have visited Shyam Bhatia’s house in Dubai.
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In fact, the list of names will grow year by year and it’s easy to see why. Inside the 371-square metre gallery in Bhatia’s back garden is the UAE’s only cricket museum and visitors, including the South Africa and Sri Lanka teams, have been in awe of the products on display.
One side of the wall is lined up with over 180 signed bats from some of the biggest names, including Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar, while there is a glass cabinet of signed balls.
What makes this two-tier museum stand out from the others are the stats where you will find numbers of all Tests from 1877 to 2013 as well as autographed helmets and national jerseys.
“All the cricketers that have come are hooked on that display,” said Bhatia, who started his collection in 1981. “I remember when (South Africa’s) Hashim Amla wasn’t moving from the spot for half an hour as he was just admiring the stats.”
Additionally, you will find a painting by South African artist Richie Ryall of World Cup winning captains as well as a specialised note to Bhatia from Tendulkar after the legend won the 2011 edition.
“It’s just down to the passion of cricket,” replied Bhatia, when asked of his reason for building the museum, which opened in April 2010.
“I had magnificent signed memorabilia of all these players and then I thought of building a museum in my compound. You can say there is nothing like this anywhere in the world.
“Even Allan Donald said to me, if he had a place like this, he would want to sleep in it.”
Word has quickly spread around the world of Bhatia’s “unique” museum that when any national team travels to the UAE for matches or training camps, they visit his Jumeirah residence.
He has a photo album of South Africa’s visit in 2013, while the guestbook is filled with glowing comments from some of the greatest players.
With a fond love for the sport, Bhatia travels around the world to hand out cricket kits to disadvantaged children as part of his Cricket For Care charity. He also auctions signed products for charity.
Previously, an Imran Khan bat sold for Dh150,000, while a Gavaskar bat went for £10,000 (Dh60,000).
“I’ve become very popular with cricketers due to the museum. But I have no commercial interest in the game, I don’t want to make money from this. I just want to give something back to the game,” explained Bhatia, who travelled to Australia late on Sunday evening to attend the World Cup, having been present at each edition since 1975.
