The story of how Shyam Bhatia got signatures on a collage of paintings of all the World Cup winning captains

By K.R. Nayar

Dubai-based cricket enthusiast and leading businessman Shyam Bhatia’s focus and determination is comparable to that of the world’s best batter. His chase towards the goal he’d set is like that of a batter who piles up runs on the way to a tall score. His aim was to get the autographs of all the World Cup-winning captains (right from the first edition) on a collage of all their paintings, and he managed to achieve it. Today, this autographed collage is proudly displayed in his museum. It catches your eye as soon as you enter and stands as a symbol of what a passionate cricket lover can achieve—reaching out to all captains who have lifted the World Cup in the 50-year history of the event.

The first part of the painting presenting the captains between 1975 to 2011 

Bhatia has witnessed all World Cups since 1975 at historic venues around the world, and hence he wanted the winning captain’s signatures on the paintings as a prized possession in his library on the 50th anniversary of the World Cup. All these paintings have been done by South African artist Richie Ryall, who had earlier worked on all the three editions of Bhatia’s book Portraits of the Game. After receiving the painting collage, Bhatia began his tough but determined effort to get the signatures of the captains on it.

The full painting of all world cup winning captains in one frame 

Speaking about this special painting collage with signatures from the captains, Bhatia said: “This was done in three parts—one from the 1975 to 2011 World Cups, the second from 2015 to 2019, and the third for the 2025 World Cup. I’ve put them all into one frame. I don’t think anyone in the world will have all the World Cup winning captains in one frame with their signatures on it.”

Shyam Bhatia with West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd who lifted the World Cup twice

The chase to get the captains’ signatures reveals Bhatia’s commitment to a goal. Many years of patient waiting have gone into meeting the captains, one by one. No wonder, today Bhatia has some of the most valuable memorabilia in his museum, which has been hailed by the greats of the game as one of the best cricket museums in the world.

Kapil Dev with Shyam Bhatia and his wife

“The first captain to sign on it was West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd, who lifted the World Cup in 1975 and 1979. Lloyd, being a dear friend of mine, was more than delighted to sign it. He always makes sure to visit this museum whenever he is in Dubai. Lloyd is always keen to see the new collections we have here.”

Shyam Bhatia with Imran Khan, who lifted the World Cup for Pakistan in 1992

1983 World Cup captain, Kapil Dev, is another great who often visits this museum when in Dubai. “Kapil was the chief guest for the 12th annual Bhatia Cricket Awards for excellence in UAE cricket. Lloyd was the chief guest for the fourth annual awards. They are not just World Cup-winning captains but also my long-time friends who have supported me in making this museum a special one,” added Bhatia.

Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga who lifted the World Cup in 1996 signs the painting at his Colombo residence  

In 1987, Australia lifted the World Cup under Allan Border’s captaincy. “I had to wait patiently until Border came to Dubai as part of the Masters Champions League (a T20 tournament held in the UAE in 2016, for which Border was a member of the governing council). That’s when I got his signature.”

Shyam Bhatia with his late brother Lachu Bhatia displays the painting with Arjuna Ranatunga in Colombo 

In 1992, Pakistan made history by winning the World Cup under the captaincy of Imran Khan. “Imran too was one of the chief guests for my annual awards, but at that time I hadn’t thought about having such a frame. Years later, when he came to my museum to see the latest additions, I got his signature.”

Australian skipper Steve Waugh who lifted the World Cup in 1999 signs on the painting in Dubai  

The 1996 World Cup was won by Sri Lanka under Arjuna Ranatunga. Though Ranatunga had given away the 13th annual awards, this project was not conceived then. “I got Arjuna’s signature after flying to Colombo with this collage. I visited his home, which was about 100 km from Colombo,” recalled Bhatia.

Steve Waugh displays the painting with Bhatia after signing on it 

After 1996, Australia won the World Cup for the next three editions—1999, 2003, and 2007. “In 1999 Australia won under Steve Waugh’s captaincy, and in 2003 and 2007 it was Ricky Ponting who lifted the Cup for Australia. Steve Waugh once came to Dubai for the World Chess Championship. I met him at his hotel, and he was happy to sign. Ricky Ponting too had come to Dubai for an event and was staying at the Oberoi Hotel. He asked me to come over to his hotel, and he signed it for me.”

Shyam Bhatia with Mahendra Singh Dhoni who lifted the World Cup for India in 2011 

In 2011, India won the World Cup under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It wasn’t easy for Bhatia to get through to him as he was busy with his match schedules, not only for India but also for Chennai in the IPL. “I contacted Kiran More (former Indian wicketkeeper and selector), since I knew it was he who had selected Dhoni as captain while he was a member of the selection committee. I requested More to help, and I flew one person with the painting to Mumbai, where Mumbai Indians were playing against Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings. Finally, I managed to get Dhoni’s signature,” said Bhatia.

Shyam Bhatia with Michael Clarke during his playing days

Talking about how difficult it was to get Michael Clarke’s signature, Bhatia recalled, “In 2015, Australia won the World Cup under Michael Clarke’s captaincy. Despite numerous efforts, I could not meet Clarke as we kept missing each other. During the 2025 IPL, I heard that Clarke was one of the commentators along with Sunil Gavaskar and that he was in Mumbai. I requested Sunny (Gavaskar) to help, and he immediately spoke to Clarke. Clarke agreed to do it. So, coach Gopal Jasapara flew to Mumbai with the painting and got Clarke’s signature at the Oberoi Hotel on April 20th.”

Coach Gopal Jasapara takes Michael Clarke's signature on the painting  in Mumbai 

“As for Eoin Morgan, who had captained England to their World Cup triumph in 2019, coach Jasapara got in touch with him when he was in Sharjah for the ILT20 tournament and got it signed.”

Richie Ryall after getting the signature of Pat Cummings who lifted the World Cup in 2025 on his painting in England 

Bhatia also managed to get Pat Cummins, the last of the captains to lift the World Cup, to sign on this masterpiece. “Cummins was playing in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s in England. Richie Ryall met Cummins at Lord’s, got his signature, and sent it to Dubai. Once that was done, I immediately got this collage poster framed,” said a beaming Bhatia, who is now waiting for the 2027 World Cup-winning captain to extend his passionate journey. Right now, this remains a treasure that has brought together all World Cup wining captains in one frame, and acknowledged by each one of them.