Steven Smith retires from ODI cricket after Champions Trophy loss to India

Australian batting stalwart Steven Smith has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following the side's defeat against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final. The 35-year-old batter, who top-scored for his side with 73 runs in his final ODI innings, revealed his decision to teammates after the game.

While he bids farewell to the 50-over format, Smith will continue to represent Australia in Test cricket and T20 Internationals. Smith's ODI career began in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder against the West Indies, and from then, he has become one of the best batters of the era. Across 170 ODIs, he scored 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His ability to anchor innings and adapt to different match situations made him a key member of Australia’s middle order.

Part of Australia’s ODI World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023, Smith also briefly captained the side, including in his final ODI match in the absence of Pat Cummins. His leadership, alongside his consistent performances, earned him awards such as Australia’s Men’s ODI Player of the Year in 2015 and 2021 and a spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year in 2015.

Smith to continue playing for Australia in T20I and Test format

Despite his ODI retirement, Smith remains fully committed to Test cricket and T20Is. He was looking forward to the upcoming assignments, including the World Test Championship Final, a series against the West Indies, and an Ashes series at home.

“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,” Smith said in a Cricket Australia statement.

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"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," he concluded.

We fully support Steve’s decision to retire from One Day International cricket: Bailey

Meanwhile, after Smith's retirement, the Australian chief selector George Bailey reflected on the decision taken by the stalwart. Bailey said that he along with the whole cricket fraternity fully supported Smith's decision to retire from the 50-over format. Furthermore, he also said that as Smith has been in the twilight of his international career, they have backed the former Australia skipper on a series-by-series case before he steps away from the international arena for once and all.

"We fully understand and support Steve’s decision to retire from One Day International cricket. 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 167 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. From an NSP standpoint, Steve remains fully committed to Test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team,” Bailey stated.

The New South Wales-born ranks among the top performers in various batting and fielding categories. His achievements include being the 12th-highest run-scorer for Australia, holding the record for the ninth-highest individual ODI score by a captain (164), and securing 90 career catches.