After Australia lost to India by four wickets in the Champions Trophy quarterfinal, stand-in captain Steve Smith revealed on Wednesday that he will be retiring from ODI cricket. However, the great batsman would still participate in Test and T20 International matches.

After the game, the 35-year-old, who was captaining the world title squad without Pat Cummins due to injury, told his teammates that he would be leaving the 50-over format immediately. Smith stated that while Australia prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup, it is the appropriate moment to stand away.

Smith said, “I have enjoyed every second of it, and it has been an amazing journey.” “There have been many incredible moments and priceless memories. Along with the many amazing teammates who shared the adventure, winning two World Cups was a terrific highlight, he said. Smith was a vital part of Australia’s winning ICC World Cup teams in 2015 and 2023.

He was awarded Australia’s men’s ODI Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2021, and he was selected for the ICC men’s ODI Team of the Year in 2015. In 2015, he assumed the role of ODI captain, and in his farewell game, he appropriately led the team one more time. “It feels like the right time to make way because there is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup,” he added. Test cricket is still a top focus, according to the 170 ODI veteran, who is excited for the World Test Championship Final in June.

He said, “I think I still have a lot to offer on that stage.” “It feels like the right time to make way because there is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup,” he said. Since making his debut as a leg-spinning all-rounder against the West Indies in 2010, Smith has amassed an impressive ODI history spanning more than 15 years. With 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 hundreds and 35 half-centuries, he developed into one of Australia’s most reliable hitters over time. Additionally, he contributed by taking 28 wickets at 34.67.

Smith’s enormous contribution to Australian cricket was praised by selectors chairman George Bailey and CA chief executive Todd Greenberg in the outpouring of tributes for the hero. “Steve has had an incredible One Day International career and has greatly influenced Australia’s performances in the 50-over format,” the statement said.

Greenberg. “Steve demonstrated an amazing ability to score runs in any situation right up until his final ODI innings, and his wise leadership has been essential to the team’s continued success, including the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup victories.” We’re lucky.

I’m excited to see the next phase of one of cricket’s greatest careers, and I think Steve still has a lot to give in the Test and T20 arenas,” Greenberg said. Bailey said the same thing. “We completely respect and agree with Steve’s decision to stop playing One Day International cricket.

“Steve has said repeatedly that he is approaching the rest of his playing career series by series, a stance that Cricket Australia supports and that hasn’t altered. “Letting the format as a two-time World Cup winner solidifies his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players, and his record as a batter across 167 games is exemplary,” he added.