Steve Smith retirement: Star Australian batter announces shock ODI retirement following Champions Trophy exit

Stand-in Australian skipper Steve Smith has made the bombshell call to draw the curtains on his One-Day International career just a day after his side was dumped from the Champions Trophy by India.

Smith was Australia’s best with the bat during Tuesday’s semifinal on a run-poor Dubai wicket, scoring 73.

However, the knock couldn’t help his side as they slumped to a four-wicket defeat thanks to a trademark chase from arch-nemesis Virat Kohli.

Smith leaves the 50-over game with an impressive 5800 runs at 43.28 with 12 centuries from 170 appearances.

“It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in a release.

“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 ODI 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. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”

Smith was handed the captaincy for the tournament with Pat Cummins on parental leave as well as nursing an ankle injury, and West Aussie Mitch Marsh was ruled out with a long-term back injury.

Despite leading a young side missing all three first-choice fast bowlers, Smith showed his value, leading his nation to the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy for the first time in 16 years.

The call to abandon the 50-over game is almost certainly a move to prolong his Test match and T20 career, the 35-year-old having previously declared his intentions to represent Australia at the 2027 Olympics in Los Angeles when the sport makes its debut.

However, Smith gave no hints that the decision was inbound, addressing he had no concerns about being defeated by India in Dubai despite the tournament being hosted by Pakistan.

“I’m not buying into it. I think it is what it is. India obviously played some really good cricket here,” he said after the defeat.

“The surface kind of suits their style with the spinners that they’ve got and the seamers that they have at their disposal for a wicket like that. They played well, they outplayed us, and they deserve the victory.

“I think we’ve got pretty good records in big games in ICC events, and I thought the guys turned up and did a really good job.

“It’s obviously a bit of inexperience in our team, particularly our bowling attack. Some new guys there who I thought did a really good job as well. So, they’re going to be better for the exposure to a big event and playing against world-class players like the ones we came up against today and throughout the tournament.

“There were glimpses tonight of some really good stuff as well. There are some really good cricketers in that change room, and they’re going to continue to get bigger and better.”

“So, plenty of positives to take from it.”

Smith’s 73 came from 93 balls, while Alex Carey showed his wares in a powerful 61 from 57 before a brain fade saw him run out in the dying stages of the first innings.

Kohli made a brilliant 84 from 98.