Australian cricketer Steve Smith announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket following Australia’s loss to India in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal on Tuesday. While the announcement was made on Wednesday, a viral video showing a conversation and hug between Smith and Virat Kohli before the match ended has sparked social media discussions.

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• Steve Smith retires from ODI cricket after Australia’s semifinal loss to India in the Champions Trophy 2025.
• Smith, 35, was top scorer for Australia, but India won with a late knock from Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli’s performance.
• Smith confirmed his retirement decision on Wednesday, following an emotional post-match discussion with teammates.
• He will continue playing Test and T20 cricket but steps away from the 50-over format for Australia’s preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
• Smith led Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins, bringing the team to the 2023 World Cup and winning the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cups.
• In his statement, Smith reflected on his ODI career, calling it a “great ride” with unforgettable memories and the highlight of winning two World Cups.
• The cricketer announced he felt it was time to step aside for the team to build for the 2027 World Cup.
• Smith is still committed to Test cricket, aiming to contribute at the World Test Championship Final in June.
• A viral video showed Smith and Kohli sharing a hug and a brief conversation, leading fans to speculate about Kohli’s knowledge of Smith’s retirement decision.
• Smith’s retirement has led to a surge in social media discussions about his legacy and Kohli’s supportive gesture.