Steve Smith announces shock retirement from ODI cricket after Australia’s Champions Trophy exit

Steve Smith, one of Australia’s most decorated cricketers, has ended his ODI career after the team lost to India in the Champions Trophy semi-final.

Steve Smith has ended what has been a stellar ODI career for Australia(AFP)

Steve Smith, the veteran Australia batter, announced his retirement from ODI cricket following his team’s defeat to India in Tuesday’s semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. Smith, who top-scored for Australia with 73, immediately informed his teammates that he’d played his last one-day international. The 35-year-old, however, will continue playing Tests and T20Is for his country.

“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 team-mates who shared the journey,” Smith said.

“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.”

Steve Smith’s ODI legacy

Smith retires having scored 5800 runs from 170 ODIs for Australia, including 12 centuries, but more importantly as a two-time World Champions. He was part of Australia’s World Cup-winning squads in 2015 under Michael Clarke and in 2023 under Pat Cummins. During his time with the Australian team, Smith succeeded Clarke as captain in 2015, and even though he had to give it up following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018, he returned to the helm and held fort till the end with Cummins injured.

Smith led Australia in 64 ODIs, achieving 32 suffering 28 defeats. His tenure as captain boasted several standout moments, particularly in his debut year as full-time skipper, when he guided the team to series triumphs over England and India. He also secured the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and clinched a tri-series title against South Africa and the West Indies in the Caribbean in 2016. More recently, during the 2023-24 home summer, Smith steered Australia to an impressive 3-0 clean sweep against the West Indies.