Australian batting maestro Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), marking the top of an illustrious profession within the 50-over format.
Steve Smith publicizes ODI retirement after years of rivalry with Virat Kohli
Smith, recognized for his resilience and unorthodox batting model, has been a fierce competitor, particularly towards India’s modern-day legend Virat Kohli. Over time, the 2 have engaged in a number of high-stakes battles on the most important phases, together with a number of ICC tournaments such because the ODI World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and Champions Trophy (2017, 2025). Their head-to-head clashes typically determined the destiny of essential matches, with each gamers delivering masterclass performances underneath stress. Smith’s skill to anchor innings and play match-winning knocks made him one in every of Australia’s most reliable batters in ODIs. Whereas Kohli continues to dominate the format, Smith leaves behind a exceptional legacy with a formidable document in ICC occasions. His departure from ODIs will probably be a significant void for Australia, however his impression and rivalry with Kohli will probably be remembered as one in every of cricket’s biggest modern-day duels.
Rivalry in main ICC ODI competitions from Champions Trophy to World Cup
1. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ODI World Cup 2011 Conflict
Kohli and Smith first confronted one another in an ICC ODI occasion through the 2011 Cricket World Cup, a event the place India emerged as champions. At the moment, Kohli was already a promising younger batter in India’s high order, whereas Smith was primarily seen as a leg-spinning all-rounder within the Australian group. Nonetheless their paths couldn’t crossed within the quarter-final match between India and Australia on March 24, 2011, in Ahmedabad as Smith wasn’t the a part of closing taking part in XI.
In that essential knockout recreation, Kohli had a quiet outing, managing solely 24 runs off 33 deliveries. Regardless of Smith’s late contribution, India chased down Australia’s 260-run goal, knocking the defending champions out of the event. This match marked the start of an iconic rivalry that has since outlined a number of India-Australia clashes in ICC occasions.
Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2011 ODI World Cup Stats
| Participant | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Balls Confronted | Highest Rating | Batting Common | Strike Fee | 100s | 50s | Geese | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 6 | 3 | 1 | 53 | 51 | 25 | 26.50 | 103.92 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Virat Kohli | 9 | 9 | 1 | 282 | 343 | 100* | 35.25 | 82.21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
Whereas this encounter was only a small chapter of their early careers, each gamers went on to grow to be modern-day greats, often battling one another in ICC knockout matches, together with World Cup finals and Check championship clashes.
2. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – 2015 ODI World Cup Conflict
Kohli and Smith confronted one another for the second time in an ICC ODI occasion through the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the place Australia emerged victorious. The 2 met within the semi-final on March 26, 2015, on the Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG), a match that noticed Smith outshine Kohli with an impressive century as Australia stormed into the ultimate.
Batting first, Smith performed some of the iconic innings of his profession, scoring 105 off 93 balls, anchoring Australia’s whole to 328/7. Kohli, then again, had a uncommon failure in an important match, getting dismissed for simply 1 run off 13 balls by Mitchell Johnson. India’s chase by no means actually took off, they usually have been bowled out for 233, dropping by 95 runs as Australia superior to the ultimate and ultimately gained their fifth World Cup title.
This match marked the start of Smith’s dominance in ICC knockouts, whereas for Kohli, it was a disappointing second in an in any other case sturdy World Cup marketing campaign.
Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2015 ODI World Cup Stats
| Participant | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Balls Confronted | Highest Rating | Batting Common | Strike Fee | 100s | 50s | Geese | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 8 | 7 | 1 | 402 | 439 | 105 | 67.00 | 91.57 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
| Virat Kohli | 8 | 8 | 2 | 305 | 374 | 107 | 50.83 | 81.55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 |
This encounter set the tone for future battles between the 2 modern-day greats, with each gamers persevering with to be key figures in India-Australia clashes throughout codecs.
3. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Efficiency
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy noticed Smith and Kohli meet in an ICC occasion for the third time, as each gamers performed essential roles for his or her respective groups. Nonetheless, Australia’s marketing campaign was minimize brief within the group stage on account of rain-affected matches, whereas India superior to the ultimate earlier than falling to Pakistan within the summit conflict. Whereas Smith remained unbeaten in two out of his three innings, Kohli delivered a dominant marketing campaign, ending with an distinctive common of 129.00, because of his skill to anchor the innings underneath stress.
Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Stats
| Participant | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Balls Confronted | Highest Rating | Batting Common | Strike Fee | 100s | 50s | Geese | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 3 | 3 | 2 | 86 | 108 | 56 | 86.00 | 79.62 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 5 | 5 | 3 | 258 | 261 | 96* | 129.00 | 98.85 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 4 |
Kohli’s three half-centuries in 5 innings ensured India’s sturdy run to the ultimate, whereas Smith’s contributions weren’t sufficient to hold Australia past the group stage.
Additionally READ: Top 5 players with most fifties in ICC knockouts ft. Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar
4. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – 2019 ODI World Cup Conflict
Kohli and Smith confronted off for the fourth time in an ICC ODI occasion through the 2019 Cricket World Cup, when India took on Australia at The Oval on June 9, 2019. In contrast to their earlier World Cup encounters, this time, it was India who dominated, securing a convincing 36-run victory.
Batting first, India posted a mammoth whole of 352/5, because of Shikhar Dhawan’s 117 and Kohli’s good 82 off 77 balls. Kohli performed an important position in accelerating India’s innings, guaranteeing they set an enormous goal for Australia.
In response, Smith anchored Australia’s chase with a gritty 69 off 70 balls, however regardless of his efforts, Australia fell brief, managing solely 316 in 50 overs. The Indian bowling assault, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/50) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/61), ensured that Australia by no means actually received near the goal.
This match additionally noticed a heartwarming second when Kohli requested the Indian crowd to cease booing Steve Smith and as an alternative recognize him after his return from the ball-tampering suspension.
Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2019 ODI World Cup Stats
| Participant | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Balls Confronted | Highest Rating | Batting Common | Strike Fee | 100s | 50s | Geese | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 10 | 10 | 0 | 379 | 441 | 85 | 37.90 | 85.94 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 2 |
| Virat Kohli | 9 | 9 | 1 | 443 | 471 | 82 | 55.37 | 94.05 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 38 | 2 |
This World Cup conflict noticed Kohli main from the entrance with each his bat and sportsmanship, whereas Smith fought onerous however couldn’t take Australia over the road.
5. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2023 ODI World Cup Conflict
Kohli and Smith met for the fifth time in an ODI World Cup through the 2023 Cricket World Cup, with India and Australia dealing with off twice—as soon as within the group stage after which within the grand closing. Whereas India emerged victorious of their league-stage encounter, Australia had the final chuckle, defeating India within the closing at Ahmedabad to say their sixth World Cup title.
Within the group-stage conflict in Chennai (October 8, 2023), Australia batted first and struggled towards India’s spin assault, getting bowled out for 199. Steve Smith was the highest scorer for his facet, taking part in a affected person 46 off 71 balls, however the remainder of the batting collapsed. India, regardless of dropping Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer cheaply, rode on Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97) not out to chase the goal comfortably.
Nonetheless, within the closing in Ahmedabad (November 19, 2023), regardless of Smith failed for a duck, Travis Head’s excellent 137 powered Australia to a snug six-wicket victory after proscribing India to 240. Kohli was as soon as once more India’s standout performer, scoring 54 off 63 balls, however his efforts weren’t sufficient to stop heartbreak within the summit conflict.
Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2023 ODI World Cup Stats
| Participant | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Balls Confronted | Highest Rating | Batting Common | Strike Fee | 100s | 50s | Geese | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 10 | 10 | 1 | 302 | 373 | 71 | 33.55 | 80.96 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 2 |
| Virat Kohli | 11 | 11 | 3 | 765 | 847 | 117 | 95.62 | 90.31 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 68 | 9 |
The 2023 World Cup noticed Kohli dominate the event, ending as the best run-getter with 765 runs, whereas Smith performed a gentle position for Australia of their victorious marketing campaign.
6. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Efficiency
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marked the final chapter within the rivalry between Kohli and Smith in white ball cricket, with India eliminating Australia within the semi-finals to advance to the final. Whereas each gamers had regular campaigns, it was Kohli’s impression in essential moments that made the distinction as India triumphed over Australia in Dubai.
Australia’s semi-final exit by the hands of India was a repeat of their earlier ICC knockout disappointments, as Smith’s facet didn’t chase down India’s whole within the first semi-final of the event. Smith, regardless of his expertise, couldn’t make a defining impression, whereas Kohli’s composed innings as soon as once more showcased his class on the massive stage.
Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Stats
| Participant | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Balls Confronted | Highest Rating | Batting Common | Strike Fee | 100s | 50s | Geese | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 3 | 3 | 1 | 97 | 124 | 73 | 48.50 | 78.22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Virat Kohli | 4 | 4 | 1 | 217 | 261 | 100* | 72.33 | 83.14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
With 217 runs in 4 matches, Kohli led India’s cost, together with a match-winning century, whereas Smith’s marketing campaign resulted in disappointment as Australia bowed out within the semi-finals.
