Australian cricket star Steve Smith has called time on his illustrious One Day International (ODI) career after his team’s semifinal defeat to India in the Champions Trophy. The announcement came on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Australia’s four-wicket loss at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday night, where Smith top-scored with a valiant 73 off 96 balls. The 35-year-old shared his decision with teammates post-match, as confirmed by Cricket Australia, though he will continue to feature in Test and T20I formats.

“It feels like the right time to make way. It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in a statement. “Test cricket remains a priority, and I’m really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies series this winter, and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”

Smith debuted in ODIs in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder against Pakistan in Brisbane, but it was his evolution into a batting maestro that defined his legacy. Over 170 matches, he amassed 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 fifties. His highest score of 164 came against New Zealand in 2016. A key figure in Australia’s 2015 World Cup triumph, Smith ranks among the nation’s top ODI run-scorers, trailing only legends like Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist.

Widely regarded for his unorthodox technique and resilience, Smith’s ODI exit marks the end of an era, though his focus now shifts to cementing his Test cricket legacy, where he boasts over 9,500 runs.