Steve Smith : A Legacy Forged in Runs and Resilience

The Steve Smith era in One-Day International cricket has ended, marking the end of a remarkable career.

Following the Champions Trophy semi-final against India in March 2025, Smith announced his retirement from the ODI format, leaving behind an incredible list of stellar performances and contributions to Australian and world cricket.

From his debut as a promising leg-spinning all-rounder to the transformation into a batting maestro, Smith’s ODI journey has been one of constant evolution. His unorthodox technique, coupled with an unwavering focus, made him a formidable force in the middle order with 170 ODI matches, 5,800 runs, an average of 43.28, and 12 centuries.

The numbers, however, only show the surface of Smith’s impact. His ability to build innings, absorb pressure, and deliver match-winning performances in crucial moments defined his ODI career.

Key highlights include his key roles in Australia’s victorious 2015 and 2023 Cricket World Cups. He has also held the role of ODI captain, demonstrating his leadership capabilities. His consistent excellence has been recognized with multiple Australian Men’s ODI Player of the Year awards.

His presence on the field was always unique and he displayed calmness and composure even in the most critical situations. That, combined with his high skill level, allowed him to be one of the best ODI batsmen of his era.

Smith will continue to focus on Test and T20 cricket and his retirement from ODI cricket paves the way for younger players to gain match experience as part of the Australian team’s preparation for the next ODI World Cup.

Steve Smith leaves behind a legacy of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the Australian cricket team. His influence will continue to inspire generations of cricketers not only in Australia but across the globe.

We will continue to see Steve Smith’s contribution to the cricket in the toughest format and in the shortest format of the game in the coming years and hope that he will be extending his career for a few more years in those formats.