Steve Smith Announces Retirement from ODI Cricket After Semifinal Exit

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career. The decision came shortly after Australia’s exit from the ongoing Champions Trophy, following a semifinal defeat to India in Dubai on Tuesday night. Smith, who began his ODI journey as a specialist legspinner, evolved into one of the finest batters the game has ever seen.

Smith made his ODI debut in 2010 against the West Indies in Melbourne, where he returned figures of 2/78 as Australia defended a massive target of 325. Although he didn’t get a chance to bat in that match, he quickly showcased his batting prowess in his second ODI, scoring a brisk 41 off 53 balls batting at number seven. As his batting flourished, his role as a legspinner diminished, and he eventually took over as Australia’s ODI captain in 2015, succeeding Michael Clarke. Smith led the team in 64 matches and was part of the Australian squads that clinched the ODI World Cup titles in 2015 and 2023.

A Glance at Smith’s ODI Career:

• Matches: 170
• Runs: 5,800
• Average: 43.28
• Strike Rate: 86.96
• Centuries: 12
• Fifties: 35
• Highest Score: 164
• Wickets: 28

Smith’s tally of 5,800 runs places him 12th on the list of Australia’s all-time leading run-scorers in ODIs. His captaincy record includes 32 wins, 28 losses, and four no-results, with a win percentage of 50.

Smith’s Favourite ODI Opponent: India
Smith reserved some of his best performances for India, amassing 1,383 runs in 30 matches against them – the most he scored against any single opponent. This includes five centuries and seven half-centuries. Notably, his only World Cup century came against India in the semifinal of the 2015 edition.

Record-Breaking Feats
Smith shares the record for the highest individual score by an Australian ODI captain, matching Ricky Ponting’s 164. Smith achieved this feat against New Zealand in Sydney, where he scored 164 off 157 deliveries.

World Cup Glory
Smith was instrumental in Australia’s World Cup triumphs in 2015 and 2023. Under Michael Clarke’s leadership in 2015, Australia won the title on home soil, and in 2023, under Pat Cummins, they secured another victory in India.

As Smith steps away from ODI cricket , his legacy as one of the game’s most versatile and accomplished players remains firmly intact. His contributions with the bat, leadership, and ability to perform on the biggest stages have left an indelible mark on Australian cricket.