What Virat Kohli’s Missed 85th Century Teaches Us About Unlisted Shares

Yesterday, millions of cricket fans were disappointed as Virat Kohli was dismissed for 93, just seven runs short of completing his 85th international century.

Have you ever thought that this incident could become a lesson for the people trading in unlisted shares?

Just like cricket, investors have their own version of a “century” - the IPO. Yet, much like Kohli’s 93, the real value often lies quietly in the unlisted space.

So, how does this connect? In this article, we explore some of the most important lessons that Kohli’s missed century can teach us about unlisted share investing.

The ‘Perfect’ Returns is a Myth

In cricket, a century is considered a successful performance. Similarly, some investors love thinking of 100% returns, 3x or 5x gains, and big listing-day gains.

But investing is not about perfect numbers. It never was. It’s about achieving a favourable outcome with controlled risk.

In the unlisted market, chasing the “perfect” moment often leads to:

• Holding shares only for a “bigger” listing gain
• Refusing to exit at reasonable valuations
• Ignoring good pre-IPO exit opportunities

And the result?

A good investment slowly turns into a risky one.

An unlisted investment can be successful even without a spectacular listing-day gain, and waiting endlessly for the “perfect” return is a myth.

Pain of Near Misses

What hurt fans most about Kohli’s innings wasn’t that he got out but it was missing his 85th century by just a few runs.

A 60 would be praised as a good knock, but 93 was so close to a milestone, therefore it  felt like a miss. Investors in unlisted markets feel a similar pain. Common situations include:

• Selling shares shortly before an IPO announcement
• Not investing in a company that later lists at a premium.
• Exiting early and watching valuations rise later.

These moments create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and regret. But here’s an important truth - a decision can be right, even if the outcome later looks better.

The real problem begins when investors let regret control future decisions and do things like holding on too long next time, overpaying to avoid missing out again, or ignoring risks because last time they missed the opportunity to gain.

To avoid this, it's very important for investors to think rationally and take their decisions with a mindful approach and not be biased by their emotions.

Success is Not One Big Win

Virat Kohli is not defined by a missed century. His greatness is built on years of consistent performance, record-breaking scores, and being recognised among India's best cricketers.

Likewise, one high-growth IPO gain alone can not make someone a great investor. 

The fact is that in unlisted shares investing:

• Some deals will do very well.
• Some will give moderate returns.
• Some may disappoint you.

And that is completely normal, because what truly matters is your overall portfolio performance, long-term growth, and consistent capital compounding. Just like cricket careers are judged by averages and longevity, investment success is built over time, not in one moment.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli’s 93 may not have added another century to his record, but it played a crucial role in India’s victory. In the stock market, especially in unlisted shares, investors often chase the idea of a “perfect” outcome: a big IPO pop, a round-number return, or a headline-making gain.

But real wealth creation rarely follows a straight line. It is built through disciplined decisions, sensible exits, and long-term thinking, even when the outcome doesn’t look perfect upfront.

Does this excite you about unlisted share investments? Visit UnlistedKraft and explore a number of exclusive pre-ipo investment opportunities.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not represent any kind of investment advice. Unlisted share investments are subject to market risks and regulatory changes. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
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Author: Diwakar Singh

Diwakar Kumar Singh is a finance writer and BFSI specialist with 7+ years of experience in financial content and research. He has authored hundreds of finance articles, published multiple books internationally, and contributed to research publications. A Gold Medalist MBA from IMT, he brings a strong analytical understanding combined with clear, reader-focused communication. His work focuses on simplifying complex financial topics, including IPO analysis, unlisted shares, financial ratios, and company evaluations, providing well-researched and evidence-based insights to help readers make informed financial decisions.