In an interview with Vivek Law on the Simple Hai! show, Jatin Paranjape, a former top-class cricketer and now a prominent entrepreneur, shared his remarkable journey, emphasising the pivotal role of adaptability, patience, and a deep understanding of one’s domain. Paranjape, known for managing cricketing legends like Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, and VVS Laxman, reflected on his career transitions and the vision behind his sports tech venture, KheloMore.
Early Aspirations and Cricketing Tenacity
Jatin Paranjape’s early life was steeped in cricket, with a father who was a renowned coach and a mother who was a well-known teacher. He played alongside Sachin Tendulkar in an Under-15 tournament. Despite his cricketing commitments, Paranjape was also a diligent student, passing his CS Inter exams while studying in dressing rooms between matches. His primary ambition was to play for the Mumbai team, a goal he held dear, rather than initially aiming for international cricket. He cited Michael Atherton’s desire to be known as a Lancashire batsman as an inspiration for his own wish to be recognised as a “Bombay batsman” batting at number three.
Paranjape highlighted the importance of patience and determination, reflecting on his own seven-year wait for opportunities in cricket. He noted that this patience is also crucial in investments and entrepreneurial journeys. He deeply valued team spirit, recalling an incident where his father was upset that Jatin, as captain, did not rate his own team’s ability to win. He also spoke of enjoying the success of teammates like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, asserting that comparing oneself to Sachin, who was “on a different planet”, was pointless.
The Shift to Sports Business: Embracing Adaptability
A significant turning point came with an injury that made him question his future as an international player. Paranjape underscored that the “ability to adapt” is a vital quality that helps humans navigate such situations. Initially, he considered pursuing an MBA to enter the business of sport, even preparing for the CET exams. However, a sudden call from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to play against Australia – due to Sachin Tendulkar’s unavailability – led him to meet Steve Waugh. This encounter resulted in an offer to work for Sporting Frontiers, a sports management company.
At Sporting Frontiers, Paranjape managed high-profile cricketers such as Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, and VVS Laxman. He also gained grassroots experience in sales, managing perimeter advertising rights at stadiums across India. He strongly believes that to lead a team effectively in any domain, one must understand it from the ground up.
KheloMore: A Super App for Sports Access
Seven years ago, inspired by discussions with friends working at Booking.com in Amsterdam during his tenure as Europe Football Sports Marketing Manager at Nike, Paranjape founded KheloMore. His role at Nike involved working with top clubs like Manchester United and Barcelona, and overseeing Cristiano Ronaldo’s license line.
The mission of KheloMore is to provide universal access to sports. Paranjape envisions it as a “super app for sport,” akin to “Book My Show for sport”. The platform currently lists over 5,000 venues in India, with a long-term goal of onboarding 50,000, and plans to list thousands of coaches, acting as a bridge between individuals seeking sports facilities or coaching and the available supply. He noted that while cricket historically dominated, KheloMore’s focus is on promoting all sports, acknowledging the rise of new leagues.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Drawing from his seven-year entrepreneurial journey, Paranjape offered key lessons for aspiring founders:
•Building a strong team.
•Having a deep understanding of the domain.
•Securing the right investors. He stressed the importance of “patient capital” and a “culture check” with investors, as an entrepreneur’s life is filled with peaks and troughs, requiring supportive partners.
The Transformative Power of Sport
Paranjape passionately advocated for the importance of sports, especially for the younger generation. He believes that sports teaches tenacity and “relentless resourcefulness” – a concept he admires from Jeff Bezos. Beyond winning, sports instils crucial life skills:
•Learning to lose and preparing better for future challenges.
•Discipline, preparation, and time management.
•Coping with setbacks, a skill he feels is diminishing in a society driven by instant gratification.
He expressed concern about the declining resilience among young people and the increasing impatience in society, evidenced by swift criticism of athletes after a single loss. He contrasted this with the more evolved fan bases in American sports, citing the Chicago Cubs winning after 97 years, yet maintaining a loyal following.
Fitness and Mental Well-being
Highlighting the strong link between sports and fitness, Paranjape emphasised that sports are not just about physiological health but also crucial for mental well-being. He noted the growing support from doctors and the government to promote sports, envisioning a healthier India and a reduced national health budget in two to three decades. Playing sports offers physical activity, social interaction, and a significant boost to mental health.
On a personal note, Paranjape still plays cricket in the nets, goes for long walks, and maintains a home gym with his fitness-enthusiast wife. He unwinds through music and practices regular meditation, which has been a daily ritual for the past 14-15 years. His other great passion is coaching young players, describing it as a “mini-holiday every day”. This holistic approach reflects his belief in discipline and continuous learning, whether on the field or in life.
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