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- June 16, 2025
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From Eden Gardens to Escrow: What Cricket Taught Me About Real Estate Investing
I grew up watching cricket the way some people here watch football. It wasn’t just a sport—it was a way of thinking. Decades later, as I work in real estate investing in the U.S., I find myself drawing lessons from the field every single day.
Cricket shaped my mindset—and that mindset has helped me become a better investor, syndicator, and operator.
Here’s what I mean.
1. Play the Long Game – Lessons from Test Matches
I still remember watching Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman bat through an entire day at Eden Gardens in 2001. India had followed on, and most people had given up hope. But those two taught us that patience, grit, and sticking to fundamentals can change the course of history.
Real estate investing feels the same. It’s not T20. It’s not about flipping houses for instant profit. When I buy a multifamily property, I’m thinking 5, 10, even 15 years ahead. Rents increase slowly. Equity builds quietly. Like Test cricket, the rewards are slow—but they are deep and lasting.
2. Know the Pitch Before You Bat
Every Indian fan remembers the 2012 Test series in England. Our batting lineup—full of legends—struggled badly. Why? Because the ball swung and seamed on those green pitches, and we didn’t adjust quickly enough.
Real estate isn’t any different. What works in Los Angeles might not work in Modesto or Sacramento. Each market is its own pitch—with different tenant demographics, regulations, and economic indicators.
Before I buy, I always ask:
- Who are the renters?
- What are the local job drivers?
- Are there rent control laws or development restrictions?
Just like a batsman adjusting his stance to a spinning track, a good investor adapts strategy based on market conditions.
3. You Win with a Team – Even if You’re a Star
We all admire Kohli’s centuries, but even he can’t win a match alone. You need solid openers, reliable bowlers, sharp fielders, and good leadership. Cricket is a team sport.
So is real estate.
Behind every successful property I’ve acquired is a team:
- A broker who sourced the deal
- A lender who got us terms on time
- A property manager who understands the neighborhood
- An attorney who flagged risks before closing
I may lead the ship, but I don’t sail it alone. My team makes sure we’re winning sessions—not just individual overs.
4. Pressure Situations Reveal Character
Who can forget the Sydney Test of 2021? Ashwin and Vihari, both injured, defied Australia’s pace attack for an entire session. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was heroic.
In real estate, you have your own “Sydney Tests”:
- A tenant stops paying right after you close
- Interest rates jump during a refinance
- A surprise roof issue eats into your reserves
In those moments, your mindset matters. Do you panic? Or do you adapt, communicate with your investors, and stay calm under pressure?
Like a good cricketer, a strong investor doesn’t flinch. They dig in.
5. Rotate the Strike – Build Steady Momentum
Some of my favorite innings weren’t filled with sixes. They were built on smart singles and quiet partnerships. I’m reminded of Kohli’s 82 against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG*. Yes, it had fireworks at the end—but for most of that innings, it was about rotating the strike, building pressure, and trusting the process.
That’s how I see real estate investing too.
At Old Money Capital, we don’t promise huge, overnight wins. We aim to hit singles and doubles. We offer modest, consistent returns. But over time, those small wins—regular rent increases, steady upgrades, and tenant retention—compound.
And sometimes, we find ourselves with a score bigger than anyone expected.
6. Use Data—But Trust Your Gut Too
There’s a saying in cricket: Form is temporary, class is permanent. You can analyze averages, strike rates, and wagon wheels—but at some point, a captain has to make a gut call.
In real estate, data matters—rent rolls, T12s, comps. But sometimes, a property just feels right. Maybe it’s under-managed. Maybe the street’s about to gentrify. Maybe the owner just wants out.
Good investors know when to trust the spreadsheet—and when to trust their instinct.
Final Thoughts
Cricket taught me more than cover drives and doosras. It taught me temperament, resilience, strategy, and teamwork—the same values I use every day in real estate investing.
So the next time you’re watching a match—maybe Ashwin spinning magic or a debutant quietly building a partnership—ask yourself:
What’s the real estate equivalent of that move?
You might just unlock a new way to think about wealth.
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