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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 11:37:15 pm

Modak and the Art of Investing

As the aroma of freshly steamed Modaks fills homes during Ganesh Utsav, the festive spirit comes alive instantly. My mouth is already watering at the thought! The humble Modak, prepared with love to honour Lord Ganesha, may look simple from the outside. But anyone who has tried making one knows that a good Modak depends on several things coming together - the right ingredients, the right recipe, patience with the process, and finally, enjoying the result. Investing is surprisingly similar....

Modak and the Art of Investing

As the aroma of freshly steamed Modaks fills homes during Ganesh Utsav, the festive spirit comes alive instantly. My mouth is already watering at the thought! The humble Modak, prepared with love to honour Lord Ganesha, may look simple from the outside. But anyone who has tried making one knows that a good Modak depends on several things coming together - the right ingredients, the right recipe, patience with the process, and finally, enjoying the result. Investing is surprisingly similar. Choose the Right Ingredients A Modak is only as good as the ingredients that go into it. Fresh coconut, good-quality jaggery, properly prepared rice flour and the right flavours all contribute to the final result. Our investments and financial products are the ingredients of our financial plan. Equities, mutual funds, fixed income, gold and other investments each have a specific role to play. The objective is not to pick whatever appears most exciting at the moment, but to select suitable, good-quality investments that match our financial goals, time horizon and ability to take risks. Health and life insurance are equally important ingredients. Adequate coverage helps protect savings, the family, and their financial goals and dreams. Good ingredients provide the foundation. But ingredients alone are not enough. Get the Recipe Right You may have the finest ingredients in the kitchen, but if the proportions are wrong, the Modak may still not turn out well. The same applies to investing. Asset allocation is the recipe of a financial plan. Too much of one ingredient can spoil a Modak. Similarly, excessive concentration in one asset or too much money in low-return products can spoil a portfolio. Balance is key. A thoughtfully constructed portfolio brings different investments together in the right proportions. To keep asset allocation very simple - short-term goals can be planned through bank fixed deposits, recurring deposits and debt mutual funds. For long-term goals, one can consider hybrid mutual funds, equity mutual funds or direct stocks. Trust the Process Once the Modak is shaped and placed for steaming, constantly checking whether it is ready will not make it cook faster. Investors often make the same mistake. We keep checking markets, reacting to every correction, chasing recent performers or changing strategies because of short-term noise. Good investing requires patience and discipline. Invest regularly, review periodically and allow your financial plan enough time to work. Compounding is powerful precisely because it rewards those who remain invested for long periods. Sometimes, the best thing an investor can do is simply avoid unnecessary interference. Enjoy What You Have Created Finally comes the most important part - eating the Modak! The purpose of investing is not merely to accumulate the largest possible number on a statement. Wealth should eventually help us fulfil our goals, support our families, create financial security and enjoy life with greater peace of mind. A good Modak needs the right ingredients, the right recipe and trust in the process. A good investment journey needs exactly the same. This Ganesh Utsav, may Bappa bless us with the wisdom to make good financial choices, the patience to stay disciplined, and the prosperity to enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Ganpati Bappa Morya! (The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

Talent Thrust into the Fire

Writer: Waleed Hussain
Waleed Hussain
Jan 26
4 min read

Shubman Gill’s rapid rise to India’s ODI captaincy in late 2025 was billed as the beginning of a bold new chapter for Indian cricket. At just 26, the elegant Punjab batsman had already carved out an impressive resume: a Test average above 50, consistent big scores in white-ball cricket, and a reputation as one of the most technically sound stroke-makers in the modern game. His appointment came on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s retirement from limited-overs formats following India’s successful Champions Trophy campaign in early 2025, where Rohit had led with trademark composure. The BCCI, under chief selector Ajit Agarkar and in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir, saw Gill as the natural long-term successor, fast-tracking him to prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Yet, mere months into the role, the initial excitement has given way to intense scrutiny, with a string of disappointing results prompting debates about whether the transition was rushed.


Gill’s ODI captaincy journey began inauspiciously with a three-match series against Australia in October 2025. The opener in Perth was a rain-marred affair reduced to 26 overs, where India lost by seven wickets under the DLS method. Gill managed just 10 runs off 18 balls, undone by the relentless pace of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. The second match saw another collapse under pressure, sealing a 2-1 series defeat despite a dominant consolation win in the third ODI at Sydney, chasing down the target with nine wickets to spare. This made Gill only the second Indian captain after Virat Kohli to lose his debut ODI as skipper, highlighting the brutal initiation he faced in a high-stakes away series.


The situation deteriorated further in January 2026 during the home series against New Zealand. What was expected to be a routine assignment against a transitional Kiwi side turned into a historic setback: New Zealand’s first-ever bilateral ODI series victory on Indian soil. India took the first ODI in Vadodara by four wickets, chasing 301 with composure. However, New Zealand bounced back emphatically in the second at Rajkot, winning by seven wickets after posting a competitive total. The decider in Indore proved decisive—New Zealand amassed 337/8, powered by centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106), before bowling India out for 296 despite Virat Kohli’s valiant 124. The 41-run loss completed a 2-1 series defeat, leaving fans and experts stunned.


In six ODIs as captain, Gill’s record stands at two wins and four losses—a win percentage of just 33.33 per cent, a sharp contrast to India’s historical dominance in the format and Rohit’s roughly 75 per cent success rate over 56 matches. Critics have zeroed in on tactical shortcomings: sluggish powerplay bowling, delayed changes, questionable field placements, and a perceived lack of aggression. Former players like Ajinkya Rahane pointed to missed opportunities in the Indore game, where spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were underutilized while part-timers bowled more overs. Commentators such as Ian Smith noted Gill appearing “out of ideas” during key partnerships, and Simon Doull criticised his passivity. Social media and platforms like Reddit have echoed this, branding him a “weak captain,” with some fans even demanding his removal following poor domestic Ranji Trophy outings (0 and 14 in one match). Calls have surfaced to reinstate Rohit Sharma, with former cricketer Manoj Tiwary questioning why the BCCI moved on from a proven winner so soon after a major title.


Gill’s personal form offers a silver lining. Since assuming captaincy, he has averaged over 50 in ODIs (though some reports note a dip to around 29-30 in captaincy games compared to pre-captaincy highs near 59), demonstrating resilience under pressure. His batting remains a cornerstone, providing stability at the top. There are also encouraging signs for the future: backing young bowlers like Harshit Rana, who has shown promise, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who contributed usefully in the New Zealand series. Gill’s Test captaincy, starting mid-2025 after Rohit and Kohli’s retirements from the format, has shown more promise—a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England, including a century in the opener—suggesting multi-format leadership could hone his skills faster, akin to Kohli’s growth.


However, captaincy demands more than runs; it requires aura, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire in crises—qualities Rohit exuded calmly and Kohli fiercely. Gill, with limited prior experience (sporadic IPL stints with Gujarat Titans reaching playoffs but no titles, plus brief T20I captaincy), appears to lack that intangible edge. The BCCI’s choice seems driven by batting pedigree and long-term vision rather than extensive leadership credentials, raising questions of favouritism over merit in a results-oriented sport.


Looking forward, redemption lies in upcoming challenges: tours, the 2026 Asia Cup, and building toward 2027. Consistent series wins could quiet critics and allow Gill to mature. Persistent struggles, though, might force a rethink—perhaps elevating KL Rahul or Suryakumar Yadav.


Gill is undeniably talented, a generational batsman with poise and potential. But talent alone rarely lifts trophies; leadership must match it. For now, his ODI captaincy remains a high-stakes experiment—full of promise yet perilously close to unravelling if results don’t improve soon.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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