Cricket is a religion in our country. Is there anything else that binds the whole nation together? Is there anything else that generates so much passion within each individual? Right from the street side hawker to five star restaurant, from small work table to corporate corner office, from normal tree side primary schools to world class management institutes, cricket allows us to speak a common language. Everybody understands this language.

And yet, we forget that it’s a team game. It’s a game where every individual has to do its part and perform his role. In our wins, we forget negative, while in loss we demonize individuals. We forget somebody has to score runs, somebody has to catch in the field, and somebody has to take wickets. In this game, we tend to applause showmanship (even when if it is without any substance), while hard work just becomes a regular talk and not celebrated.

Our team had a dream run from middle of 2000 to 2004. In this we all applause certain leader for the team who is takes off his shirt in enemy territory, but we do not seem to remember folks who worked tirelessly to make it happen. We continuously praise this certain leader, without recognizing that he had an excellent team mates who always bailed him out. He had two great batsmen of this era and one great bowler who were always ready to standup and make the contribution.

Alas! We keep praising the leader and fail to understand that we had a great team.

Investing is like a game of cricket. It is team game. You may be leader to run your portfolio, but your portfolio is your team. You need few rock solid performers like our wall, who time and again will bail you out. You need few intelligent ones, think Mr. Mumbai, who has ability to adapt as per the situation, and will become a grand daddy of your portfolio. You need few stocks like Mr Najafgardh, who smacks the ball out the park. You need few no names which occasionally complete the equation or may become the new superstar. You need few who zip through your portfolio or who goggles your portfolio in upward trajectory.

Therefore, a long term winner portfolio cannot be constructed or sustained if you chase those hot stocks, chase those market leaders, and chase those once in blue moon performers. In order to win, your portfolio needs to be filled with winners. Every stock that you buy should have a role to play. You need dividend stocks which act as anchors in your portfolio. Even Buffet has anchored his portfolio on dividend stocks. You need few growth stocks (only few) that once in a while will score century. You also need one or two momentum stocks that zip through your portfolio. Finally, look for few small no name companies, who you believe in.

You got it! It’s a team game.

general, life lessons