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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Uneven Greatness

India has done it again. Before more than 85,000 spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the national side overwhelmed New Zealand by 96 runs to claim a third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title and becoming the first side to win the tournament thrice. The cricketing world quickly joined the chorus of celebration. India piled up a staggering 255 for five before dismissing the Kiwis for 159, a margin that underlined their dominance in the shortest format. Opener Sanju Samson, continuing a...

Uneven Greatness

India has done it again. Before more than 85,000 spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the national side overwhelmed New Zealand by 96 runs to claim a third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title and becoming the first side to win the tournament thrice. The cricketing world quickly joined the chorus of celebration. India piled up a staggering 255 for five before dismissing the Kiwis for 159, a margin that underlined their dominance in the shortest format. Opener Sanju Samson, continuing a remarkable run of form, struck another blistering innings, earning the Player of the Tournament award. Meanwhile, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered a devastating spell of 4 for 15 on what was otherwise a batting paradise, securing Player of the Match honours. Praise flowed freely from former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen, who hailed India’s white-ball dominance, to past and present Indian greats including Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Even across the border, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar credited India’s success to deep structural strength and long-term planning. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, looked beyond the trophy cabinet. With cricket set to feature at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he suggested that India would now aim for Olympic gold alongside yet another T20 World Cup crown. All this praise is deserved. India has become the undisputed powerhouse of white-ball cricket. Its batting depth is formidable, its bowling attack versatile, and its bench strength enviable. Yet celebration should not erase recent embarrassments in the Test format. Barely two years ago, India endured one of its most humiliating episodes in its cricketing history when New Zealand had inflicted a stunning 3-0 Test series whitewash on India at home. It was the first time a visiting side had swept a three-Test series in India in more than 90 years. For a team that once treated home conditions as an impregnable fortress, the defeat was startling. The following season brought further setbacks against the South Africa national cricket team, underlining the uncomfortable truth that India’s dominance in T20 cricket has not translated into similar authority in longer formats. While T20 cricket rewards audacity and improvisation, Test cricket demands patience, discipline and endurance. India has mastered the first art spectacularly. The second, once its proudest strength, now appears more fragile. This matters because India is not just another cricketing nation chasing trophies. It is the game’s financial and cultural centre of gravity. When India excels only in the shortest format, the message being sent out is that spectacle matters more than substance. The country’s greatest cricketing memories - from epic Test victories abroad to grinding home dominance - were forged over five days rather than twenty overs. None of this should diminish the present triumph. But glory can also breed complacency. For all the fireworks in Ahmedabad, Indian cricket would do well to remember that T20 titles merely bring gallery applause. True greatness demands something longer.

Multi-Asset Funds: The Ideal Investment for Diwali

As the festive season of Diwali approaches, many investors look for auspicious opportunities to grow their wealth. With its deep-rooted association with prosperity and success, Diwali is the perfect time to reassess and enhance your financial portfolio. Mutual funds are a highly accessible asset class, allowing you to invest any amount that suits your comfort level—whether it’s 1,000 or ₹1 crore. Importantly, because they don't solely invest in equities; they offer diversified assets within a single mutual fund scheme itself. We are talking about ‘multi-asset funds’ that stand out as an ideal choice, particularly during this festival of wealth. Multi-asset funds invest across equities, debt, and gold offering a balanced mix.


Diversification for Balanced Growth

Multi-asset funds allocate investments across three key asset classes: equities, debt, and gold. This diversification offers a balanced approach to wealth accumulation, allowing investors to tap into the growth potential of the stock market while hedging risks with safer options like debt and gold. During volatile market conditions, the ability of these funds to spread investments across different asset types helps minimize risk and ensure more stable returns.


Gold: A Festive Favourite

Gold holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, particularly during festivals like Diwali. It is considered a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Purchasing gold during Diwali is a tradition that has been passed down for generations, as it is believed to bring prosperity into the home. Multi-asset funds cater to this cultural sentiment by including gold as a core component of their portfolio, allowing investors to maintain a traditional touch in their investments while also benefiting from its value as a safe-haven asset. These funds allow you to capitalize on its potential for appreciation while enjoying the emotional connection it holds.


Adapting to Market Changes

What makes multi-asset funds particularly appealing is their asset allocation flexibility to adapt to market fluctuations. The fund manager can shift the balance between equities, debt, and gold based on prevailing market conditions. For instance, when stock markets become overvalued, they may increase exposure to gold and debt, both of which tend to perform better in uncertain times. This adaptability ensures that your portfolio remains resilient, no matter how the markets move.


Professionally Managed

For those looking to invest during Diwali without the time or expertise to actively manage their portfolios, multi-asset funds offer a hassle-free solution. The fund managers and asset management companies are well-placed to manage your money.


In conclusion, with their strategic mix of equities, debt, and gold, multi-asset funds are the perfect investment choice this Diwali. They offer stability, growth, and an emotional connection to the traditional value of gold, aligning with the spirit of the festival and the goals of long-term financial prosperity.


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal.)

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