Steve Smith Announces Retirement from ODIs After Defeat from India in Semis

Australian cricket star Steve Smith has officially retired from One-Day Internationals (ODIs), bringing an end to a remarkable 50-over career following Australia’s four-wicket defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai. Despite stepping away from ODIs, the 35-year-old will continue representing Australia in Test and T20I cricket, with a potential eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will feature in T20 format.

Smith informed his teammates about his decision after the semi-final loss and later explained that the timing felt right. “It feels like the right time to make way,” he stated. Reflecting on his career, he expressed gratitude for the journey, highlighting his two World Cup victories as unforgettable moments. “There have been so many amazing times and wonderful memories. Winning two World Cups was a great highlight along with the many fantastic teammates who shared the journey,” he added.

With Australia’s focus shifting toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, Smith acknowledged the need for fresh faces in the squad. “Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup,” he said. However, he remains committed to Test cricket and is looking forward to upcoming series, including the World Test Championship final, a tour of the West Indies, and the Ashes series against England at home.

Smith’s ODI career spanned 170 matches, making him Australia’s 16th most-capped player in the format. He scored 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28 and a strike rate of 86.96, making him the country’s 12th-highest run-scorer in ODIs. His career included 12 centuries and 35 fifties, with a personal best of 164 against New Zealand at the SCG in 2016. Among Australian players with more ODI runs than Smith, only David Warner and Adam Gilchrist maintained a higher strike rate.

As captain, Smith led Australia in 64 ODIs, winning half of those matches. His tenure saw significant victories, including series wins against England and India in his first year as full-time skipper. He also guided Australia to a Chappell-Hadlee Trophy win and a tri-series victory against South Africa and West Indies in 2016. More recently, he led the team to a 3-0 series sweep over West Indies in the 2023-24 season in Pat Cummins’ absence.

Smith played a crucial role in Australia’s World Cup triumphs in 2015 and 2023. In the 2015 final against New Zealand at the MCG, he secured the title by scoring the winning runs. Four years later, he returned from a 12-month suspension to play a key role in the 2019 World Cup. His contributions in ICC tournaments remained consistent, and in his final ODI, he top-scored for Australia with 73 off 96 balls before being dismissed by Mohammed Shami.

His World Cup record is particularly noteworthy. Although he scored only one World Cup century—against India in the 2015 semi-final at the SCG—he holds the record for most half-centuries (10) by an Australian in World Cup history, surpassing legends Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist, who each had eight.

Beyond batting, Smith was also a standout fielder, taking 90 catches in ODIs at an average of 0.53 per innings. Among Australian players with at least 70 ODI catches, only Glenn Maxwell and Mike Hussey have a better ratio. His ability to pull off spectacular catches, including a one-handed stunner to dismiss BJ Watling in the same match where he scored 164, remains unforgettable.

Smith’s retirement signals a transition for Australia’s ODI team as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. His long-time teammate David Warner has already retired from international cricket, and several key players from the 2023 World Cup-winning squad, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc, were absent from the Champions Trophy semi-final due to injuries or personal reasons. Marcus Stoinis also recently announced his ODI retirement. With senior players like Glenn Maxwell (36), Alex Carey (33), and Adam Zampa (32) nearing the later stages of their careers, Australia is undergoing a generational shift.

George Bailey, Chair of the National Selection Panel, acknowledged Smith’s contributions, stating, “Steve has said on many occasions he is approaching the remainder of his playing career on a series-by-series basis, a position which hasn’t changed and one Cricket Australia supports. His record as a batter across 170 games is exemplary, and to leave the format as a two-time World Cup winner cements his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players.”

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also praised Smith’s achievements. “Congratulations to Steve on an amazing One-Day International career during which he has made a vast contribution to Australia’s performances in the 50-over format. Right up until his final ODI innings, Steve exhibited an incredible ability to accumulate runs in all conditions, and his astute leadership has been crucial in the team’s ongoing success, including the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup victories,” he said.