Blades of Glory Cricket Museum

Blades of Glory Cricket Museum in Pune is a shrine for anyone who can tolerate glass cases and the smell of varnish. Founded by ex‑Maharashtra player Rohan Pate and inaugurated by Sachin in 2012, the modest two‑storey building on Bhavani Road feels more like a private hobby room than a national treasure. The highlights are the genuine 1998‑era SG bats signed by Rahul Dravid, a battered 2007 IPL trophy from the Rajasthan Royals, and a surprisingly intact set of 1930s English teas and caps that pre‑date the country’s first Test. The museum’s layout is linear – start at the ground floor with the chronological timeline, then shuffle up the narrow stairs to the upper gallery where the “Hall of Dreams” displays personal letters from Tendulkar and a cracked photograph of the 1983 final. Skip the endless re‑hashed statistics board; it’s a glossy brochure you can download from the kiosk. Admission is ₹150, and a tea stall on the side sells a solid‑brew masala chai that makes the whole experience tolerable. Visit in the winter months when Pune’s weather is mild; the monsoon will seep through the leaky roof and ruin the paper archives. Two hours is honest; a half‑day allows you to linger over the vintage match‑worn pads before moving on to the bustling Shaniwar Peth for a proper vada pav.

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