Sachin Tendulkar's 2nd Innings

Sachin leaves the field one last time and joins another field, Salute!

Sachin - Cricket's Greatest and India's Astute Investor

When Sachin Tendulkar played his final Test match at Wankhede Stadium in November 2013, the nation wept. But what they didn't realize was that the Master Blaster wasn't retiring - he was simply changing his batting order from cricket to commerce.

From 22 Yards to Balance Sheets

Sachin Tendulkar's journey as an investor mirrors the same qualities that made him cricket's most complete batsman: patience, precision, and an uncanny ability to read the game ahead of others. Just as he accumulated 100 international centuries through disciplined shot selection, Tendulkar has built a diverse investment portfolio that reflects strategic brilliance rather than impulsive hitting.

His entry into the business world wasn't a retirement hobby but a calculated second innings. In 2013, the same year as his cricket farewell, Tendulkar invested in Smaaash Entertainment, a sports simulation and entertainment venture founded by Shripal Morakhia, the entrepreneur behind SSKI and Sharekhan. This wasn't just about putting money behind a cricket-themed business - it was about understanding experiential entertainment before it became mainstream.

The Portfolio of a Champion

Tendulkar's investment strategy reads like a carefully constructed Test innings, balancing aggression with defense across multiple sectors.​

Technology and Innovation: In 2016, Tendulkar invested in Smartron, a Hyderabad-based IoT and smart device company, becoming both an investor and brand ambassador. This move demonstrated his understanding that India's tech hardware sector was ready for transformation. Similarly, his $2 million investment in JetSynthesys in 2021 expanded the company's digital footprint through projects like 100MB, catering to cricket enthusiasts globally.​

Mobility and Fintech: His 2021 investment in Spinny, a full-stack used car retail platform, showcased his ability to identify transparency-driven businesses in traditionally opaque sectors. In December 2024, Tendulkar entered fintech by backing Kissht, a digital lending platform providing quick, paperless credit across India. These investments reflect his commitment to businesses that democratize access - whether to quality pre-owned vehicles or financial services.​

Sports Beyond Cricket: Tendulkar's passion for sports extended to co-owning Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League and Bengaluru Blasters in the Premier Badminton League. He even invested in the International Tennis Premier League, demonstrating that his sporting vision transcended boundaries.​

EdTech and Manufacturing: His portfolio includes Unacademy, India's leading online learning platform, and AZAD Engineering, showing diversification from consumer tech to industrial manufacturing.​

The Tendulkar Investment Philosophy

What separates Tendulkar from celebrity investors who merely lend their names is his approach to financial planning. His investment strategy embodies three core principles that parallel his batting technique:​

Starting Early and Consistency: Just as Tendulkar began cricket at age 11 and practiced relentlessly, he understood the power of compounding in wealth creation. His early investments in 2013-2016 have matured significantly, with Smaaash alone raising Rs 762 crore in total capital over the years.​

Diversification and Risk Management: Tendulkar's adaptability across Test cricket, ODIs, and T20s mirrors his investment diversification across technology, entertainment, fintech, sports, and manufacturing. This approach spreads risk while optimizing returns, much like rotating strike and finding gaps in different match situations.​

Setting Clear Goals: Every Tendulkar investment aligns with companies that have clear missions - transparency in Spinny, innovation in Smartron, accessibility in Kissht. His SMART goal approach to investing ensures each venture serves a specific purpose in his portfolio.

The Numbers Game

If an investor had mimicked Tendulkar's career-long approach to systematic investment, putting Rs 10,000 monthly from his debut until retirement (much like SIPs), the total investment of Rs 2.6 lakh would have grown to Rs 5.88 lakh - a 126% return. This calculation, though hypothetical, illustrates the power of consistency and long-term vision that Tendulkar embodies both on field and in boardrooms.​

His investment in Smaaash has seen the company operate across 30 centers globally managing over 600,000 square feet, with operating revenues almost doubling to Rs 103.26 crore in FY17. While some ventures faced challenges - ITPL encountered financial difficulties, and Smaaash temporarily shut during the pandemic - Tendulkar's diversified approach ensured these setbacks didn't define his portfolio.

The Unplayed Shot

What makes Tendulkar remarkable as an investor is what he doesn't do. Recent viral claims linking him to RRP Semiconductor, a smallcap stock that rallied 13,000% in a year, were categorically denied by the company. Tendulkar's disciplined approach means avoiding speculative plays and focusing on businesses with genuine fundamentals - the equivalent of leaving balls outside off-stump.​

His investment philosophy emphasizes staying grounded and avoiding temptations, seeking expert advice, and preserving capital - principles that guided his 24-year cricket career. Just as he never compromised his technique for quick runs, Tendulkar doesn't chase quick returns at the expense of sustainable growth.

The Legacy Continues

Today, Sachin Tendulkar operates his investments through the Sachin Tendulkar Family Office, managing a portfolio of nine companies with strategic precision. His approach combines the patience of building an innings with the calculated aggression of capitalizing on loose deliveries - whether that's a promising fintech startup or an innovative IoT company.​

The Master Blaster has proven that greatness isn't confined to one arena. Just as he read bowlers' intentions before the ball left their hands, Tendulkar now reads market trends and consumer behavior with equal astuteness. His second innings in the investment world demonstrates that champions don't retire - they simply find new pitches to conquer, new boundaries to hit, and new records to set.​

For those who love both cricket and finance, Sachin Tendulkar's story offers the ultimate lesson: success in any field requires the same fundamentals - discipline, diversification, patience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether facing a 150 kmph bouncer or evaluating a startup pitch deck, the Master Blaster's approach remains unchanged: play the ball on its merit, build your innings patiently, and when opportunity presents itself, dispatch it to the boundary with clinical precision.