Why batting average needs its denominator

A batting average is not runs divided by innings. It is runs divided by dismissals, which is why a not-out can lift a player’s average without adding another dismissal. The denominator carries the context.

Data infographic comparing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ODI runs, dismissals and batting average — Why batting average needs its denominator · Cricket Wicket · data checked 2026-09-28

Read the denominator first

In the same ODI snapshot, Virat Kohli has 15,080 runs and 255 dismissals, producing an average of 59.13. Rohit Sharma has 11,927 runs from 244 dismissals, producing 48.88. A not-out contributes runs but leaves the dismissal count unchanged.

That makes average useful for comparing scoring returns per opportunity, but it should sit beside innings, not-outs and the format. Cricket Wicket keeps unavailable dismissals visible instead of filling them with an estimate.

255Virat Kohli ODI dismissals

244Rohit Sharma ODI dismissals

59.13 / 48.88ODI batting averages · Virat Kohli / Rohit Sharma

Compare two international careers · Virat Kohli profile · Rohit Sharma profile · Create your own visual

Career figures are independent official snapshots. Batting average is runs ÷ dismissals; strike rate is 100 × runs ÷ balls faced. A missing denominator stays unavailable.