Champions Trophy 2025: Australian Cricket Legend Steven Smith Retires from ODI Cricket

After Australia lost to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final, batting legend Steven Smith announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs). After the match, the 35-year-old batsman, who led his team in scoring with 73 runs in his last ODI innings, told his teammates his choice.

Smith, one of Australia's most successful ODI players, made his debut against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder before developing into a batting stalwart. He took 28 wickets and scored 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28 across 170 games, including 12 hundreds and 35 fifties. He was an important part of Australia's middle order because of his capacity to anchor innings and adjust to various match circumstances.

Smith will continue to play for Australia in Test cricket and T20 Internationals even though he is saying goodbye to the 50-over format. Smith started his ODI career against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, and he has since developed into one of the greatest hitters of all time. 

Steven Smith Calls Time on ODI Career:

🚨 STEVEN SMITH ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM ODI CRICKET. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/OBkNCLsbG6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 5, 2025

Smith, a pivotal player in Australia's World Cup victories in 2015 and 2023, captained the ODI team in 2015 and served as interim captain in his final game. He was named to the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year in 2015 and was named the Australian Men's ODI Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2021.

Smith is still totally dedicated to Test cricket and T20Is even after retiring from ODIs. He was excited about the next tasks, which included an Ashes series at home, a series against the West Indies, and the World Test Championship Final.

In a statement released by Cricket Australia, Smith reflected on his ODI career by saying, “It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it. 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. Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup, so it feels like the right time to make way. Test cricket remains a priority, and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies in the winter, and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”

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