India's vice-captain, and undoubtedly the most important player in the Indian cricket team, teaches us a lot -- about investing!

Follow Rahul Dravid's playing strategy and you could well be scoring well on your investments.

Here are five great principles we can learn from Dravid's game.

1. Consistency is the name of the game

Rahul Dravid is consistent, performing to his ability and beyond in eight out of the 10 matches he figures in.

A case in point is his 100 and 135 in the first and second innings at the second test match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Having got a 100 in the first innings, he could so easily have been a bit more relaxed in the second – but Dravid put his head down, and played the game the situation demanded, without a thought for the earlier achievements.

He just did not let up.

The golden rule to investing: be consistent!

Don't save a huge amount one month and then take it easy for the next six. Save consistently. It pays off in the long run.

Let's say you got a birthday gift of Rs 10,000. If you invest this for three years at a 7% rate of interest, you will land up with Rs 12,250.

Now let's say that in addition to the above one-time investment, you also add Rs 1,000 every month to the kitty. At the end of three years, you will end up with Rs 52,051. And, laying aside Rs 1,000 every month would not cause a huge dent in your lifestyle, would it?

Consistency is the path to riches.

The post office and banks offer a recurring deposit that allow you to add a small amount every month to your investment.

To invest in the stock market regularly, you will have to opt for a systematic investment plan with an equity mutual fund (fund that buys shares of various companies).

This scheme allows you to invest small amounts in your mutual fund every month (or every three months) either by directly debiting the amount from your bank account or via post dated cheques.

Text: Larissa Fernand
Photograph: ROB ELLIOTT/AFP/Getty Images