After losing the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Team India, Australia’s captain Steve Smith has announced his retirement. Steve Smith was the captain of the team in the absence of Pat Cummins, but under his captaincy the team could only travel till the semi-finals. In such a situation, he has now announced his retirement from ODI International cricket. . However, he will continue to play Test and T20 International cricket for Australia. He wishes to play for the country in the Olympics 2028 as well.
According to Cricket Australia, Smith will remain available for selection in Test and T20 International cricket. His decision probably reflects his desire to be a part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Steve Smith told his teammates about his decision after the Champions Trophy semi-final defeat in Dubai and said that it feels like now is the right time to leave the game.
Smith said in a press release, “It’s been a fantastic journey and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. There have been so many wonderful moments and great memories. Winning two World Cups was a fantastic achievement, along with so many great teammates to share the journey with. Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup, so it feels like now is the right time to step down from the game. Test cricket is still the priority and I’m looking forward to playing in the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies in the winter and then against England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”
Steve Smith, who is going to be 36 years old on 2 June, made his ODI debut against West Indies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 19 February 2010 and played his last ODI against India on 4 March 2025. He has achieved many things in these 15 years. He did not bat in his debut match because he was preferred more as a spinner then. He got two wickets in that match. In the last match against India, he scored 73 runs in 96 balls.
Left-handed batsman Steve Smith has played 169 ODIs for Australia. He has managed to score a total of 5727 runs in 153 innings of these matches. His highest score is 164. His average in this format is 43.06, while Steve Smith has scored runs for Australia in ODIs at a strike rate of 87.13, which includes 12 centuries and 34 half-centuries. He has also returned unbeaten 20 times. He has hit 517 fours and 57 sixes in ODIs.
