In a way, it was fitting that Steve Smith gave Virat Kohli a hug and had a nice conversation with him as his last act as an ODI cricketer. It also occurred to be the time that Smith most likely decided to retire from 50-over cricket, as close-ups would subsequently show. by sharing his secrets with one of his cricketing friends, opponents, and oldest rivals. Smith leaned on Kohli’s shoulder and remained there for a few seconds while the former Indian captain muttered some things into his ear, creating a heartwarming and moving moment.
The brotherly embrace was made extra sweeter by the fact that it happened just minutes after the Indian team had celebrated their victory against Australia to advance to the Champions Trophy final, with a very enthusiastic Kohli leading the festivities.
Because, in addition to being the benchmarks for excellence among their peers, the two defining right-handers have been bitter rivals on the pitch throughout their individual ODI cricket careers.
After all, of the 30 games he played against India altogether, the retiring 35-year-old had played more 50-over matches versus Kohli than any other opposing player—28 in total.
There was also some irony in the fact that Smith was unable to see Australia home in what would have been his last match against his bitterest opponents, against whom he has typically prevailed. Not that he didn’t make every effort to stop the Indian powerhouse, as he had done so frequently during his ODI career, both as a batsman and as captain. India had grown all too accustomed to Smith’s signature 73-run innings on a slow pitch. In terms of his ability to control the fields and his ability to set the pace for his squad. To a very un-Steve Smith-like plod, even if he was unable to finish it. Even if he was unable to achieve the century he had five times before against the Indians, all but one of which ended in an Australian victory.
For the record, he only scored one hundred runs in forty innings against England and never reached two hundred against any other nation. With 1383 runs at 53.19 in 26 innings, it is understandable why India was the team he scored the most runs against in ODIs. The best ODI squad of his generation, who were all too frequently the targets of Smith’s white-ball brilliance, loathed him even if he wasn’t regarded as one of the top ODI players of his generation based only on numbers.
Without a doubt, Smith’s most important innings came when he stopped India’s progress in the 2015 World Cup with his first ODI century against the Indians at his home stadium, the SCG. He had dominated India with the bat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, and it was a brilliant knock that led to the semi-final victory at the end of the home summer. The summer that changed Steve Smith’s life forever, turning him from a handy all-arounder with blonde hair into the world’s best batsman. He had played his debut ODI against India in late 2010 at Visakhapatnam while playing in his previous incarnation.
Steve Smith bowled three costly overs without batting.
With what was still only his third ODI century, Virat Kohli produced one of his early run-chase masterpieces, but Australia lost the match. Even if Kohli didn’t achieve three figures this time, he still accomplished it in Smith’s last ODI against India.
During that Vizag effort, Kohli was likely under some pressure for the first time in his ODI career after going through a difficult period. Additionally, Smith was still establishing himself in international cricket at the time. However, it did start this long-lasting conflict between Steve Smith and Kohli, just eight months before the Indian would receive his Test cap and a few months after the Australian’s Test debut.
Even though the two have been compared during their extensive Test careers, they are hardly ever mentioned together when discussing the 50-over format.
Given that Kohli has played almost twice as many ODIs and has amassed an incredible record in the format with few, if any, competitors, it’s likely just a matter of sample size. In comparison, Steve Smith 50-over figures—an average of 43.28 and a strike-rate of 86.96—may not be particularly striking, but they are excellent given the part he has played for his nation. Additionally, they are insignificant compared to his own Test results, which elevated him to a new level.
Steve Smith did had some brilliant moments when he appeared to be the world’s top ODI player, particularly when he defeated India and scored three consecutive ODI tonnes in one year. Naturally, they encountered two different tours, but his consecutive 62-ball hundreds in Sydney in late 2020—followed by his 132-ball 131 in Bengaluru earlier in the year—were a preview of the elite equipment he did have with his white-ball batting, which he hasn’t always felt the need to use due in large part to his clearly defined role in this setup.
Additionally, Indian teams will be relieved to see Steve Smith go, even though his legacy as an ODI batter may not be as revered as that of Smith as a Test batter. You only need to remember the instance from the 2023 World Cup final, when Smith left the pitch after his brief stint at the crease with only four runs to show for his controversial LBW decision. Few Indian supporters, both in the Narendra Modi Stadium that evening and beyond, did not begin to feel much better after their side won the World Cup. Only for Travis Head to ruin the celebration once more.
But on Tuesday in Dubai, India managed to halt Head. similar to how they bid Smith, the ODI player, farewell in what ended up being his final 50 overs. He finally said goodbye in Kohli’s arms, which was only fitting.
India
