Did Virat Kohli Know About Steve Smith’s ODI Retirement Plans?

New Delhi: Australian batter Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket.

This came as his team was knocked out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following a 4-wicket defeat to India at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. Smith was named the captain of the national team for the tournament after primary skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out due to an injury.

The 34-year-old, who was Australia’s top scorer with 73 in the match, shared the decision with his teammates after the game. He, however, will continue to play Test and T20 cricket.

Smith stated that his retirement would give selectors a chance to plan for the 2027 ODI World Cup. “It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it. 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,” he said in a media release shared by Cricket Australia.

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Social media users speculate that Virat Kohli may have known about Smith’s ODI retirement plans before it was officially announced, as he was seen embracing him tightly and speaking to him right after the match ended.

Smith, who was named Australia’s Men’s ODI Player of the Year in 2015 and 2021, debuted in 2010 as a spin-bowling all-rounder. He played 170 ODIs, scoring 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28 with 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries, and took 28 wickets. A key part of Australia’s 2015 and 2023 World Cup-winning teams, he captained the ODI side from 2015 to 2018, when he had to give it up following the infamous ball-tampering scandal. He led the team once more in the Champions Trophy semi-final with Cummins injured.