Steve Smith retires from ODIs after Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final loss to India

Australia’s Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after the team’s semi-final defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 35-year-old informed his teammates following the loss in Dubai and later confirmed his decision in an official statement. Smith, however, will continue playing Test cricket and T20 Internationals.

Smith played 170 ODIs for Australia, scoring 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28 with a strike rate of 86.96. He registered 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with his highest score of 164 coming against New Zealand in 2016. As a fielder, he took 90 catches, ranking among Australia's best in the format.

A two-time World Cup winner, Smith was part of Australia’s victorious campaigns in 2015 and 2023. He played a key role in major ICC tournaments, finishing his ODI career as the Australian with the most World Cup half-centuries (10). His final innings in the format was a top-scoring 73 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final.

Smith captained Australia in 64 ODIs, winning 50% of those matches. He led the team to several major series victories, including against England and India in his first year as full-time captain. He also led Australia to a tri-series win against South Africa and West Indies in 2016. In his final ODI series, he captained the team to a 3-0 win over West Indies in early 2024.

Announcing his decision, Smith stated, “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.”

Australia’s ODI squad now faces a transition phase, with Smith joining David Warner as another senior player stepping away from the format. Several key players, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Mitchell Marsh, missed the Champions Trophy semi-final, and Australia will now look to build a squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.