Well Left! The Art of Ignoring Market Noise Like A Pro

As legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar once said, facing the first ball is always the same, no matter how many runs you've scored before. While the first delivery may be a loosener, it can just as easily be a toe-crushing yorker that can send you back to the pavilion — and sometimes, a career-defining moment.

Similarly, in investing, the "first ball" often represents market noise — the short-term fluctuations, the noise from news, or the temptation to act on every market move. Just as you don't swing at every ball, you don’t need to react to every market signal. 

Instead, mastering the art of ignoring the distractions and staying focused on your long-term investment strategy is key. Defensive strategies, such as sticking to your plan, asset allocation, and diversification, help you weather market volatility without getting caught in unnecessary risks. Sometimes, the best move is simply to leave the ball and stay disciplined, trusting that long-term growth will prevail.

Opening Delivery: What Is Market Noise Anyway?

Indian spectators make a lot of noise on the cricket ground. They were famously ‘silenced’ by Pat Cummins in the WC 2023 final (Ahmedabad). Since then, the finger-on-the-lip celebration has been one of the biggest taunts in an India-Australia encounter. 

But what is the implication of market noise? Let us find out. 

What counts as market noise?

In investing, market noise is all the chatter, headlines, and so-called “hot tips” that distract more than they help. Think of it as Twitter's buzzing stump mic: loud, constant, and rarely useful.

Not all updates are insights — learn to filter the fluff

Breaking news doesn’t always mean breaking insight. Just because a stock is trending doesn’t mean it’s worth chasing. Always remember the simple mantra: Fluff ? fundamentals.

Why Long-Term Investors Should Be Batsmen, Not Ball-Chasers

Pinch hitters and sloggers are fun to watch. They often say how much they wish to play their natural game, and might win a couple of matches for their teams. But for a Pakistani fan, it was often frustrating to watch Shahid Afridi throw his wicket away trying to slog in critical situations when his country needed him the most. 

Like a seasoned batsman leaving deliveries outside off-stump, long-term investors win by playing selectively, not swinging at every flashy update. The real skill? Knowing what not to react to.

“Well Left!” — The Greatest (and Most Underrated) Skill

When you are playing the longer format and even an ODI, leaving the delivery outside of your arc is one of the greatest skills. 

1. Ignoring The Bait: The Kohli Cover Leaves Of Investing

Virat had one of the worst Border-Gavaskar trophies recently. On almost all occasions, his mode of dismissal was the same: he was trying to cover drive a ball outside off stump (5th or 6th wicket line). Unlike the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s Sydney heroics, he was not able to ignore the bait. The result: Tendulkar scored more in one Sydney test than Virat did in the entire BGT.

2. Your SIP Doesn’t Need A Mid-Over Adjustment

Just like a batsman doesn’t change his stance mid-over, your SIP doesn’t need to be tweaked every time the market hiccups. It is part of your long-term investment strategies and is built to ride the highs and lows, so trust the process and keep your eye on the long innings.

3. A Calm Head In Chaos Scores More Runs (And Returns)

Remember Dhoni in a tense chase or Kohli in the recently concluded Champions Trophy? Calm, focused, unfazed. That’s the temperament every investor needs. Market chaos isn’t a cue to panic, it’s an invitation to stay grounded and play with discipline.

The Sidhu Syndrome: When Too Much Commentary Clouds Judgement

Navjot Singh Sidhu is an extremely polarizing figure in the cricketing world. His one-liners, shayaris, and metaphors often catch the attention of people in India and all around the world. At the same time, he is often trolled for digressing from the fundamentals of cricket and basically talking about jargon and everything in between. 

A decade ago, Sidhu’s analysis was on point, and his trademark quotes were used just to add spice to the assessments. Now, it is quite the opposite. 

Too many Tips Spoil The Trade — Avoid Armchair Experts

In cricket, endless commentary can drown out the actual game and investing’s no different. Everyone’s got a hot tip, but few walk the talk. Don’t let noise from armchair experts hijack your innings.

Create Your Own Scoreboard: Goals, Not Gossip

MSD once remarked (after India lost to South Africa in the 2011 World Cup), “You’re not batting for the crowd; you’re playing for your country.” 

Similarly, it is critical to define your financial goals, track your progress, and tune out market gossip that doesn’t align with them.

Silence Your feed, Not Your Returns

Muting that hyperactive WhatsApp group or turning off notification alerts isn't indifference; it's a strategy. Digital hygiene protects your portfolio’s peace, helping you focus on what really matters: long-term performance.

Strategies To Tune Out the Noise And Stay In Form

The current Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma (and earlier, Virat Kohli), has performed extremely well in ICC events. Most players often talk about shutting down outside noise and concentrating on their game. This is quite similar to your investment strategies, where you need to be a master of ignoring market noise.

Digital Detox For Your Portfolio

You don’t need to check your portfolio more than your step tracker. Uninstall, log out, breathe. If you are a mutual fund investor, you can check it once in a while but not everyday unless you are a trader whose active income is derived from the stock market. 

Set Calendar Reminders, Not Panic Alerts

Review your investments monthly or quarterly. Scheduled checks beat knee-jerk reactions and be aware of the fundamental nature of market volatility. 

Stick To The Gameplan: Asset Allocation Is Your Batting Order

Openers (emergency funds), middle-order (mutual funds), finishers (equity), and a smart lineup win matches and portfolios. Stick to your allocation, not the commentary. You need to have balance in your strategy, in a similar way Rohit Sharma won the T20 World Cup with three spinners in the squad when other teams had a pacer-heavy lineup.

Final Over: Patience, Discipline, And Playing The Long Game

The best innings aren’t built on flashy shots and slogs. They’re built on focus, timing, and knowing what to leave. Investing’s no different. Resist the noise, trust your technique, and play the long game. Like Dravid holding one end or Dhoni pacing a chase, your returns thrive on patience and discipline.

So next time the market throws a bouncer, just duck it. Do not have too much gap between your bat and pads, and try to fish balls outside the off stump. You will end up edging to the keeper or one of the slip fielders. Meanwhile, with discipline and following portfolio diversification, you will win the match for your team. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Market Noise

1. Can emotional investing harm long-term returns?

Yes, emotional investing often leads to impulsive decisions derailing long-term gains.

2. What is market noise?

Market noise refers to short-term, irrelevant, or distracting financial information that doesn't impact the fundamentals of your investments.

3. Which strategy is best for long-term investment?

A disciplined approach with consistent investing, diversification, and goal-based planning is best for long-term success.

4. What does "ignoring market noise" mean in investing?

It means staying focused on your financial goals instead of reacting to daily market fluctuations or speculative chatter.

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