From Yuvraj To David Warner, Cricket Fraternity Lauds Steve Smith Following ODI Retirement

March 5, 2025: In a heartfelt announcement that resonated throughout the cricketing world, Steve Smith, one of Australia’s greatest ever batters, revealed his decision to retire from One Day International (ODI) cricket at the age of 35. This marks the end of a remarkable chapter in his illustrious career in the 50-over format, though Smith will continue to represent Australia in Test cricket and T20Is.

Smith’s ODI retirement came as a surprise to many, yet it is clear that his decision is part of a broader plan to extend his career and continue to shine on the biggest stages. While stepping away from ODIs, he remains committed to representing his country in the shortest format, with the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind, where cricket will be featured in T20I format for the first time in the Olympic Games.

As soon as Smith broke the news, cricketing legends from around the world, including his Australian teammates, celebrated his monumental achievements. His contribution to the game has been immense, and his retirement sparked a flood of emotional tributes.

Tributes from Fellow Cricketers

David Warner, a close friend and long-time teammate, took to Instagram to express his admiration for Smith’s career. Sharing personal photos and memories, Warner wrote, “Congrats mate on an unbelievable one-day career. Blues to Australia, loved being alongside you. You’ve served the country unbelievably well, and hopefully, this decision prolongs you to keep going in the Test arena. Best player I’ve played alongside in my career. #Goat #legend #cricket.”

Shane Watson, who witnessed Smith’s transformation from a leg-spinning all-rounder to one of the world’s best batters, also shared his thoughts. Reflecting on their time together, Watson recalled some of Smith’s most iconic moments, including his winning runs in the 2015 World Cup final. He said, “You and your family should be unbelievably proud of all that you achieved. I feel very fortunate to have had so many special memories on the field together. Your 65 against Pakistan in the 2015 WC Quarter-final and your 105 in the semi-final against India were two standout innings of your ODI career. Special times, mate!! Congrats again on all you achieved, Smudge.”

Usman Khawaja, another close teammate, shared a simple but heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “Well done Smudge. The achievements are obvious. But the memories will last a lifetime. Congrats on a terrific ODI career.”

Even Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian all-rounder who shared the dressing room with Smith during their IPL days, paid tribute to the Australian. Yuvraj fondly remembered Smith as the “young lad” who joined the Pune Warriors camp in 2012, hungry to prove himself. He described Smith’s career as one of “dedication and perseverance,” saying, “Watching you grow from strength to strength, shaping yourself into one of the greats of the game, has been nothing short of incredible. Your impact on the game goes beyond numbers.”

A Legendary Career in Numbers

Smith’s ODI career spanned 170 matches, during which he amassed 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 fifties. His best innings came in 2016 when he scored a stunning 164 against New Zealand. As one of Australia’s most reliable middle-order batters, Smith also captained his country in 64 ODIs, leading them to several series victories, including against England, India, and South Africa.

Among his many highlights, Smith was integral to Australia’s World Cup-winning teams in both 2015 and 2023. He famously sealed Australia’s victory in the 2015 World Cup final against New Zealand with the winning runs, and his 73 off 96 balls in his final ODI match was a fitting tribute to his career.

His contributions to ICC tournaments were remarkable, especially his record of 10 World Cup half-centuries, the most by any Australian batter. Smith was also known for his incredible fielding, taking 90 catches in ODIs and producing memorable moments with stunning one-handed grabs, including a sensational catch against New Zealand in 2016.

The Road Ahead

Steve Smith’s ODI retirement marks the beginning of a transition for the Australian team as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. His departure from the 50-over format, however, does not diminish his legacy as one of the modern-day greats of the game.

As he steps away from ODIs, the cricket world reflects on his immense contribution to the sport, his resilience in the face of adversity, and his ability to perform on the biggest stages. Smith’s retirement serves as a reminder of the dedication required to achieve greatness, and his legacy will inspire future generations of cricketers.

While Smith bids farewell to ODIs, his journey in cricket is far from over, and fans are eager to see him continue to shine in Test and T20I cricket for Australia in the years to come.