Australian batting maestro Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), marking the end of an illustrious care?er in the 50-over format.

Steve Smith announces ODI retirement after years of rivalry with Virat Kohli

Smith, known for his resilience and unorthodox batting style, has been a fierce competitor, especially against India’s modern-day legend Virat Kohli. Over the years, the two have engaged in several high-stakes battles on the biggest stages, including multiple ICC tournaments such as the ODI World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and Champions Trophy (2017, 2025). Their head-to-head clashes often decided the fate of crucial matches, with both players delivering masterclass performances under pressure. Smith’s ability to anchor innings and play match-winning knocks made him one of Australia’s most dependable batters in ODIs. While Kohli continues to dominate the format, Smith leaves behind a remarkable legacy with an impressive record in ICC events. His departure from ODIs will be a major void for Australia, but his impact and rivalry with Kohli will be remembered as one of cricket’s greatest modern-day duels.

Rivalry in major ICC ODI competitions from Champions Trophy to World Cup

1. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ODI World Cup 2011 Clash

Kohli and Smith first faced each other in an ICC ODI event during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, a tournament where India emerged as champions. At that time, Kohli was already a promising young batter in India’s top order, while Smith was primarily seen as a leg-spinning all-rounder in the Australian team. However their paths couldn’t crossed in the quarter-final match between India and Australia on March 24, 2011, in Ahmedabad as Smith wasn’t the part of final playing XI.

In that crucial knockout game, Kohli had a quiet outing, managing only 24 runs off 33 deliveries. Despite Smith’s late contribution, India chased down Australia’s 260-run target, knocking the defending champions out of the tournament. This match marked the beginning of an iconic rivalry that has since defined several India-Australia clashes in ICC events.

Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2011 ODI World Cup Stats

While this encounter was just a small chapter in their early careers, both players went on to bec??ome modern-day greats, regularly battling each other in ICC knockout matches, including World Cup finals and Test championship cla??shes.

2. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – 2015 ODI World Cup Clash

Kohli and Smith faced each other for the second time in an ICC ODI event during the 2015 Cricket W?orld Cup, where Australia emerged victorious. The two met in the semi-final on March 26, 2015, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a match that saw Smith outshine Kohli ?with a magnificent century as Australia stormed into the final.

Batting first, Smith played one of the most iconic innings of his career, scoring 105 off 93 balls, anchoring Australia’s total to 328/7. Kohli, on the other hand, had a rare failure in a crucial match, getting dismissed for just 1 run off 13 balls by Mitchell Johnson. India’s chase never really took off, and they were bowled out for 233, losing by 95 runs as Australia advanced to the final and eventually won their fifth World Cup title.

This match marked the beginning of Smith’s dominance in ICC knockouts, while for Kohli, it was a disappointing moment in an otherwise strong World Cup campaign.

Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2015 ODI World Cup Stats

This encounter set the tone for future battles betw?een the two modern-day greats, with both players continuing to be key figures in India-Aus??tralia clashes across formats.

3. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Performance

The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy saw Smith and Kohli meet in an ICC event for the third time, as both players played crucial roles for their respective teams. However, Australia’s campaign was cut short in the group stage due to rain-affected matches, while India advanced to the final before falling to Pakistan in the summit clash. While Smith remained unbeaten in two out of his three innings, Kohli delivered a dominant campaign, finishing with an exceptional average of 129.00, thanks to his ability to anchor the innings under pressure.

Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Stats

Kohli’s three half-centuries in five innings ensured India’s strong run to the final, while Smith’s contributions were not enough to carry Australia beyond the group stage.

Also READ: Top 5 players with mos??t fifties in ICC knockouts ft. Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar

4. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – 2019 ODI World Cup Clash

Kohli and Smith faced off for the fourth time in an ICC ODI event during the 2019 Cricket World Cup, when India took on Australia at?? The Oval on Jun??e 9, 2019. Unlike their previous World Cup encounters, this time, it was India who dominated, securing a convincing 36-run victory.

Batting first, India posted a mammoth total of 352/5, thanks to Shikhar Dhawan’s 117 and Kohli’s brilliant 82 off 77 balls. Kohli played a crucial role in accelerating India’s innings, ensuring they set a massive target for Australia.

In response, Smith anchored Australia’s chase with a gritty 69 off 70 balls, but despite his efforts, Australia fell short, managing only 316 in 50 overs. The Indian bowling attack, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/50) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/61), ensured that A?ustralia never really got close to the t?arget.

Thi?s match also saw a heartwarming moment when Kohli asked the Indian crowd to stop booing Steve Smith and instead appreciate him after ??his return from the ball-tampering suspension.

Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2019 ODI World Cup Stats

This World Cup clash saw Kohli leading from the front with both his bat and sportsmanship, while Smith fought hard but couldn’t take Australia over the line.

5. Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2023 ODI World Cup Clash

Kohli and Smith met for the fifth time in an ODI World Cup during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, with India and Australia facing off twice—once in the group stage and then in the grand final. While India emerged victorious?? in their league-stage encounter, Australia had the last laugh, defeating?? India in the final at Ahmedabad to claim their sixth World Cup title.

In the group-stage clash in Chennai (October 8, 2023), Australia batted first and struggled against India’s spin attack, getting bowled out for 199. Steve Smith was the top scorer for his side, playing a patient 46 off 71 balls, but the rest of the batting collapsed. India, despite losing Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer cheaply, rode on Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97) not out to chase the target comfortably.

However, in the final in Ahmedabad (November 19, 2023), despite Smith failed for a duck, Travis Head’s outstanding 137 powered Australia to a comfortable six-wicket victory after restricting India to 240. Kohli was once again India’s standout performer, scoring 54 off 63 balls, but his efforts weren’t enough to prevent heartbreak in the summit clash.

Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith – 2023 ODI World Cup Stats

The 2023 World? Cup saw Kohli dominate the tournament, finishing as the highest run-getter with 765 runs, while Smith played a steady role for Australia in their victoriou?s campaign.

6. Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Performance

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marked the last chapter in the rivalry between Kohli and Smith in white ball cricket, with India eliminating Australia in the semi-finals to advance to the final. While both players had steady campaigns, it was Kohli’s impac???t in crucial moments that made the difference as India triumphed over Australia in Dubai.

Australia’s semi-final exit at the hands of India was a repeat of their previous ICC knockout disappointments, as Smith’s side failed to chase down India’s total in the first semi-final of the tournament. Smith, despite his experience, couldn’t make a defining impact, while Kohli’s composed innings once again showcased his class on the big stage.

Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Stats

With 217 runs in 4 matches, Kohli led India’s charge, including a match-winning century, while Smith’s campaign ended in disappointment as Australia bowed out in the semi-finals.

Also READ: Steve Smith explains the reason behind Australia’s defeat agai?nst India in the semi-final of Champions Trophy 2025

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Faryal Waqar became an overnight sensation during the India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. While Virat Kohli‘s masterclass century stole the show on the field, Faryal’s enthusiastic reaction to the match, especially during a post-match interview, quickly made her a social media favorite. Fans were captivated not only by her passion for cricket but also by her resemblance to Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon and Preity Zinta.

Early life and education

Faryal was born in Saudi Arabia but was raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Coming from a Pakistan heritage, she developed a deep love for cricket from an early age. She pursued her higher education at the Rochester Institute of Technology (??RIT) in Dubai, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Administration and Management. Later, she completed her Master of Science (M.S.) in Service Leadership & Innovation from the same institution. Her academic background reflects her strong commitment to education and leadership.

Professional career

Beyond h??er viral fame, Faryal Waqar is a dedicated academic professional. She currently holds the position of Head of Department (HOD) and Senior Counselor at the Academic Success Center (ASC) at RIT Dubai. Her role involves mentoring students, guiding them through academic challenges, and helping them achieve success in their careers. Her journey from being a student at RIT Dubai to leading an academic department is a testament to her dedication and expertise in education.

Love for cricket and viral fame

Faryal has always been a passionate cricket fan, supporting the Pakistan cricket team while also admiring legendary players from other nations. She went viral during the India vs Pakistan match at the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, where her enthusiastic reaction??s caught the attention of millions. Fans on social media were quick to point out her striking resemblance to Bollywood actresses Deepika, Kriti and Preity. After the match, she shared her excitement on social media, saying:

“What. An. Experience. The energy in the stadium was electric, surrounded by so many passionate cricket fans! While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, it’s clear that Team India stood on top. It stings to lose, but my love for 🇵🇰 cricket remains. Hoping to come back stronger for whatever comes next!” Faryal wrote on Instagram.

Also READ: Viral?? Pakistani cricket fan Faryal Waqar predicts the ?winner of India vs Australia semifinal clash at Champions Trophy 2025

Admiration for Virat Kohli 

Despite being a die-hard Pakistan cricket fan, Faryal has immense respect for Indian cricketing icon Kohli. She expressed her admiration for his skill and determination, especially after his match-winning century against Pakistan. She also revealed that her favorite Pakistan cricketer is Shahid Afridi, describing him as a “true legend” of the game. She further spoke about how overwhelming her sudden fame has been.

“We, as a family, have been watching cricket since I was seven or eight years old. I was probably eight, sitting in front of the TV with a poster that said ‘Boom Boom Lala, Boom Boom Afridi.’ I have been a huge Shahid Afridi fan. He was one of the most fantastic players. Every time he stepped onto the field, my heart would stop beating. He was so unpredictable,” Faryal said in an interview with India Today.

“If you ask about legends, I would have said Shahid Afridi. But speaking of the current team, my favourites are Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Saim Ayub. I have really high expectations from a player like Saim (Ayub). But if I had to pick just one, it would be Rizwan. It has to be King Kohli. I am a big Virat fan. He is tremendous-his gameplay and technique are just phenomenal,” Faryal said, expressing her love for the superstar batter.

“It feels surreal. I have been creating TikTok videos for the last couple of years, but what has happened in the last couple of days has been extremely crazy, very overwhelming, but in a positive way,” Faryal further added.

Bollywood comparisons to Deepika Padukone

Following her viral moment, social media users flooded platforms with comparisons between Faryal and Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone and Kriti Sanon. When asked about this, she ex??pressed her love for Bollywood and her admiration for Deepika, saying:

“Honestly, every single actor you mentioned, we have been watching them on TV over the years. I love every single one of them, especially Deepika. I am a big fan of Deepika. The fact that I am being compared to someone as beautiful as her—it’s a privilege,” Faryal concluded.

From being a cricket enthusiast to a viral social media sensation, Faryal’s journey is a perfect example of how sports bring people together, transcending borders and uniting fans from different backgrounds.

Also READ: Fear of Travis Head grips Indian fans as social media overflows with memes ahead of semifinal against Australia ??�Champions Trophy 2025

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled an impressive prize money structure for the upcoming Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE? f??rom February 19 to March 9.

?The total prize pool has seen a significant increase of 53% from the previous edition i.e. Champions Trophy 2017, amounting to $6.9 million.

T??he winners of the tournament will walk away with a substantial cash prize of $2.24 million, while the runners-up will receive $1.12 million. Each losing semi-finalist will take home $560,000, ensuring that all teams have a financial incentive to perform at their best throughout the tournament.

ICC Champions Trophy: Significance of the Tournament

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is set to return for the first time since 2017, reviving a tournament that showcases the pinnacle of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The tournament features eight teams divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. This year’s edition marks a historic moment as it will be hosted in Pakistan for the first time since the 1996 World Cup.

Also READ: From Jasprit Bumrah to Saim Ayub – List of players ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025

ICC Chair Jay Shah emphasized the importance of this tournament in his official statement: “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 represents a pivotal moment for cricket, reviving a tournament that highlights the pinnacle of ODI talent, where every match is critical. The substantial prize pot underscores the ICC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the sport and m?aintaining the global prestige of our events.�/em>