Following loss against Team India, Steve Smith draws curtains on his ODI career

Australias premier batsman Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI format after his team suffered a fourwicket loss against Team India in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinalExcept for ODIs Steve Smith will continue to feature in Test cricket and T20IsSteve Smith who was wearing the captaincy hat in Pat Cummins absence informed his teammates that he would be drawing curtains in ODIs with immediate effectReflecting on his decision Smith said it was the right time to step aside as Australia builds itself for the 2027 ODI World CupIt has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it Smith saidThere 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 he added in a media release shared by Cricket AustraliaA key member of Australias victorious 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cupwinning teams Smith was named Australias mens ODI Player of the Year in 2015 and 2021 and earned a place in the ICC mens ODI Team of the Year in 2015Also ReadPadmakar Shivalkars final rites Former cricketers MCA officials bid farewell to Mumbai greatHe took over the ODI captaincy in 2015 and fittingly led the side one last time in his final match 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 he saidSteve Smith who featured in 170 ODIs said Test cricket will remain his priority and is looking forward to the World Test Championship final in JuneI feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage he saidNow is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup so it feels like the right time to make way he addedSteve Smith leaves behind a stellar ODI legacy built over a period of more than 15 years since making his debut as a legspinning allrounder against the West Indies in 2010Over the years he transformed into one of Australias most dependable batters accumulating 5800 runs at an average of 4328 including 12 centuries and 35 halfcenturies He also chipped in with 28 wickets at 3467Tributes poured in for the star with CA chief executive Todd Greenberg and chairman of selectors George Bailey hailing Smiths immense contribution to Australian cricketCongratulations to Steve on an amazing One Day International career during which he has made a vast contribution to Australias performances in the 50over format stated GreenbergRight up until his final ODI innings Steve exhibited an incredible ability to accumulate runs in all conditions and his astute leadership has been crucial in the teams ongoing success including the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup victoriesWere fortunate Steve still has much to offer in the Test and T20 arenas and I look forward to witnessing the next stage of one of crickets great careersiquest Greenberg addedBailey echoed the sentimentWe fully understand and support Steves decision to retire from One Day International cricketSteve has said on many occasions he is approaching the remainder of his playing career on a seriesbyseries basis a position which hasnt changed and one Cricket Australia supportsHis record as a batter across 167 games is exemplary and to leave the format as a twotime World Cup winner cements his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players he saidWith PTI Inputs