In the grand theater of cricket, where rivalries are forged in the crucible of competition, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli stood as two of the finest protagonists of their generation. It was only fitting, then, that Smith’s final act as an ODI cricketer was shared in a heartfelt embrace with his most enduring adversary. As cameras zoomed in, the moment took on an even greater significance, for it was here, leaning on Kohli’s shoulder, that Smith likely made his retirement from the 50-over format public. It was a poignant, almost poetic end to an illustrious career, marked by battles that have defined an era of ODI cricket.
The embrace came only minutes after India’s euphoric celebrations upon securing a place in the Champions Trophy final, a moment that Kohli himself led with boundless energy. The contrast between Smith’s quiet, reflective farewell and India’s exuberance only added to the depth of the occasion. Their careers had run parallel, their encounters forming the backdrop to countless enthralling contests, and now, with one final meeting on the field, a chapter in cricketing history had come to a close.
A Rivalry of the Ages
Few players have had the privilege of sharing the pitch with Kohli as many times as Smith. Of the 30 ODIs he played against India, 28 featured his Indian counterpart. Smith may not have been the most decorated ODI batsman of his time, but against India, he transformed into something greater—an unrelenting force that consistently tormented the world’s best white-ball team. His numbers against India speak for themselves: 1383 runs in 26 innings at an average of 53.19, including five centuries. To put that into perspective, Smith managed only two centuries against any other team and just one in 40 innings against England.
His most significant performance against India came on the grandest stage—the 2015 World Cup semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His magnificent century laid the foundation for Australia’s triumph, capping off a summer in which he had already dominated India in Test cricket. That innings wasn’t just a match-winning effort; it was a coming-of-age moment that saw Smith transition from a promising all-rounder to a world-class batsman. It was the innings that cemented his legend in white-ball cricket.
The End of an ODI Journey
Smith’s final ODI innings was yet another display of his characteristic grit and ingenuity. On a sluggish pitch, he crafted a well-compiled 73, manipulating the field and dictating the tempo in a manner that had become all too familiar for Indian bowlers over the years. Yet, in a rare departure from his usual precision, he fell to an uncharacteristic slog, unable to steer Australia home. Even in his final outing, he played his role to perfection, demonstrating the intelligence and resilience that defined his ODI career.
His decision to walk away from the format comes with a sense of inevitability. Despite his undeniable prowess, Smith was never widely regarded as one of the premier ODI players of his era. His numbers, while impressive—4378 runs at an average of 43.28 and a strike rate of 86.96—never quite reached the heights of his Test exploits. Yet, for those who watched him closely, there was always an understanding that Smith’s ODI batting had an elite gear, one he tapped into sporadically but devastatingly. His three consecutive centuries against India, including twin 62-ball masterclasses in 2020, were testament to that ability.
The Legacy Left Behind
Smith’s departure from ODI cricket will be met with mixed emotions. While the cricketing world may not revere him in the 50-over format as much as in Test cricket, Indian fans, in particular, will breathe a sigh of relief. Few players have unsettled India’s bowling attack the way Smith has. His presence at the crease often felt like an ominous sign, a prelude to an Australian resurgence.
Perhaps the most telling moment of Smith’s decline in ODI cricket came in the 2023 World Cup final. His dismissal for a meager four runs—without reviewing a contentious LBW decision—offered Indian fans a brief moment of hope. Though that hope was ultimately dashed by Travis Head’s heroics, it was a rare occasion where Smith, so often the architect of Indian despair, failed to make his mark.
Yet, in his final appearance, it was India who had the last say. They neutralized Australia’s challenge in Dubai, ensuring that Smith’s ODI farewell was one of quiet contemplation rather than triumphant conquest. And as he stood on the field for the last time in a 50-over contest, there was no better farewell than the embrace of a rival who had defined so much of his journey.
A final goodbye against his favorite rival—it was a moment befitting the career of Steve Smith, a batsman who may never have been the undisputed king of ODIs, but who was, without question, one of its most formidable challengers.