Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket

 Australian team captain Steve Smith has announced his retirement from ODI cricket. The Indian team defeated Australia by 4 wickets in the semi-final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After the defeat in this match, Steve Smith gave another big blow to the Australian team. Steve Smith retired from ODIs. However, he will be seen playing in Tests and T20s.

Steven Smith ODI Retirement

Australian team's star batsman Steve Smith said goodbye to ODI cricket after the defeat against India. Steve Smith played an innings of 73 runs in the semi-final match of Champions Trophy 2025 played against India in Dubai. Apart from him, Alex Carey scored 61 runs and the Kangaroo team was all out after scoring 264 runs in 49.3 overs. In response, Team India achieved the target in 48.1 overs and won by 4 wickets and entered the final of Champions Trophy 2025.

What did Steven Smith say after retiring from ODI?

Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup, so it feels like the right time to make way. Test cricket remains a priority and I'm really looking forward to the World Test Championship final and then playing England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.

Steve Smith ODI record

Steve Smith played 170 ODIs for Australia, in which he scored 5800 runs at an average of 43.28 and a strike rate of 86.96. This included 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Steve Smith's highest score in ODIs was 164 runs, which he made against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2016. Smith also took 28 wickets in ODIs. Steve Smith captained Australia in 64 ODIs, in which the Kangaroo team won 32 and lost 28. While four matches were inconclusive. Steve Smith has been a member of the Kangaroo team that won the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups.

Best Bowling Figures For India In Champions Trophy History

 Taking five wickets in the Champions Trophy is very important for India. Since the inception of the tournament in 1998, when it was known as the ICC Knock-Out Tournament, Varun Chakravarthy's achievement is the second-best performance by a bowler for India in the history of the Champions Trophy. So, let's take a look at all the best bowling performances by an Indian in an innings in the history of the Champions Trophy.

1. Ravindra Jadeja - 5/36 vs West Indies

Ravindra Jadeja took 5/36 against West Indies in the 2013 edition of the Champions Trophy. In the match played at the Oval ground in London, Jadeja took five crucial wickets of Jonathan Charles, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul to restrict West Indies to 233 runs in 50 overs. In his 10 overs, Jadeja conceded only 36 runs, bowling 40 dot balls including two maidens. In reply, India won the match easily in 39.1 overs thanks to openers Shikhar Dhawan (102*) and Rohit Sharma (52) along with Dinesh Karthik (51*).

2. Varun Chakravarthy - 5/42 vs New Zealand

Varun Chakravarthy has performed brilliantly against New Zealand. He took 5 wickets for 42 runs against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the current edition of the Champions Trophy 2025. In this match, India, batting first, managed to score 249 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry to bundle out the Kiwis for 205 runs and give India a big win by 44 runs.

3. Mohammed Shami - 5/53 vs Bangladesh

Mohammed Shami, who had claimed figures of 5/53 against Bangladesh in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025 this year, bowled 10 overs in the match in Dubai and conceded just 53 runs at an economy of 5.3 as India bowled out Bangladesh for 228. Rohit Sharma's side then reached the target in 46.3 overs, thanks to Shubman Gill's 101*.

4. Sachin Tendulkar - 4/38 vs Australia

Sachin Tendulkar, who registered figures of 4/38 in 9.1 overs against Australia in the 1998 edition of the Champions Trophy, formerly known as the ICC Knock-Out Tournament. Tendulkar picked up four wickets in Dhaka as India bundled out Australia for 263 in 48.1 overs. Batting first, India made 307 and once again Tendulkar scored an incredible 141 off 128 balls and Ajay Jadeja's 71 helped India post a mammoth total.

5. Zaheer Khan - 4/45 vs Zimbabwe

India's left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan bowled 4/45 in 10 overs against Zimbabwe at the RPS Stadium in Colombo. Zaheer achieved this feat in the 2002 edition of the Champions Trophy, in which India finished joint winners. In the third match of the tournament against Zimbabwe, India scored a respectable 288 and prevented the Chevetons from chasing the target as Zaheer Khan's four wickets restricted them to 274, leaving Zimbabwe 14 runs short of the target.

Australia replace Matthew Short with Cooper Connolly ahead of semi-finals

 The Australian team has included Cooper Connolly in the team in place of injured Matthew Short. Australia has made this change before the semi-final against India. Let us tell you that the first semi-final between India and Australia will be played in Dubai on Tuesday. Let us remind you that Matthew Short was injured against Afghanistan and he is out of the knockout.

21-year-old Cooper Connolly is a left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner. He was the team's traveling reserve, so he was able to join the team immediately. Cooper Connolly has a total of 6 international matches experience so far, including three ODIs. Given Short's off-spin ability, Cooper can get direct entry into the team.

Who can open in place of Matthew Short?

With Matthew Short out, Australia have a great option in Jake Fraser-McGurk. The opener has been performing mediocre of late, but with no other opener in the squad, Australia might have to play him against India. The other option is to include Cooper Connolly in the middle order and open with Josh Inglis. Inglis has experience of opening in T20Is for Australia and could be an interesting option alongside Travis Head.

Australia Squad in the Semi-finals

Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jack Fraser McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha and Adam Zampa.

Australia became champion in 2006 and 2009

Australia has reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy after 16 years. The Kangaroo team led by Steve Smith would like to win the Champions Trophy title for the third time. Australia won the title in 2006 and 2009. In the history of the Champions Trophy, it is the only team that has defended its title. Australia will try its best to defeat India.

Top 5 Players to Score Fastest 9000 ODI Runs As An Opener

 Rohit Sharma has etched his name further in the history of cricket. Rohit Sharma achieved this feat in just 181 innings, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly and becoming the fastest opener to reach this milestone. Let's take a look at how he surpassed other legends in the least number of innings as an opener.

Top 5 Players to Score Fastest 9000 ODI Runs As An Opener

5. Adam Gilchrist (253 innings)

Australia opener Adam Gilchrist managed to score 9000 runs in ODI cricket in 253 innings. Adam Gilchrist scored 9,200 runs in 259 innings at an average of 36.51, often providing a blistering start for his team. He registered 16 centuries and 53 half-centuries, with his highest score being 172.

4. Chris Gayle (246 innings)

West Indies player Chris Gayle, popularly known as Universe Boss, is known for his power hitting and record sixes. Gayle managed to reach this milestone in 246 innings, in 274 innings of his career in ODIs, this West Indies legend scored 10,179 runs at an average of 39.45, he scored 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries, including a career best score of 215 runs.

3. Sourav Ganguly (231 innings)

Sourav Ganguly, popularly known as 'Dada' of India, played an important role in all formats. As an opener in ODIs, Ganguly touched the 9000 run mark in 231 innings and scored 9,146 runs at an impressive average of 41.57. He scored 19 centuries and 58 half-centuries. With a strike rate of 73.59, he was out on zero 13 times in his career.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (197 innings)

Sachin Tendulkar, popularly known as India's Master Blaster, laid the foundation of India's ODI cricket. Tendulkar has always performed brilliantly while opening. He made a record of scoring 9000 runs as an opener in just 197 innings. As an opener, Sachin Tendulkar has scored 15,310 runs at an average of 48.30 and a strike rate of 88.05. He has also scored 45 centuries and 75 half-centuries in his ODI career as an opener.

1. Rohit Sharma (181 innings)

Rohit Sharma, popularly known as Hitman, has become the fastest player to score 9,000 runs in ODIs in the match played against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025. He achieved this feat in just 181 innings and surpassed the previous record with an average of 54.99. Rohit has also scored 30 centuries and 54 half-centuries, with his highest score being 264 runs.

MS Dhoni IPL Retirement : IPL 2025 will be the last season for MS Dhoni

 On 15 August 2020, former Indian team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni broke everyone's heart by suddenly retiring from international cricket. He wrote a post, in the background of which the song 'Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon...' was playing. His retirement made the fans very emotional. Dhoni, who has retired from all three formats, is currently playing for CSK in the IPL, but every year there is speculation about retirement as to when his last season in the IPL will be.

Will MS Dhoni retire after IPL 2025?

Even before IPL 2025, a picture regarding Dhoni's retirement is becoming increasingly viral on social media, in which the message written on Dhoni's T-shirt has made the fans emotional. Dhoni reached Chennai on Wednesday, where he was seen wearing a black T-shirt. The message on Dhoni's T-shirt was written in Morse code.

Fans searched for the meaning of his cryptic message, which meant one last time, which means in Hindi - Ek Aakhri Baar. After this, fans are connecting it to his last season of IPL. Mahi's fans are disappointed by this. It is believed that this will be Dhoni's last IPL season. Let us tell you that Morse code was used to send secret messages in the army in the 19th and 20th centuries.

MS Dhonis IPL Performance

In IPL, MS Dhoni has led CSK to the title (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023) under his captaincy. He has been the most successful captain in the history of the tournament. On the basis of his captaincy and match finishing style, the CSK team made its mark in the IPL. He scored 5243 runs in a total of 264 matches in the IPL. During this, his highest score was 84 not out. 24 half-centuries came off his bat, but so far he has not been able to score a century in the IPL.

Top 5 highest individual scores in ICC Champions Trophy

 The ICC Champions Trophy has seen some incredible batting performances, with teams scoring the most runs and setting new records. Whether it is the highest individual score or the highest score in the Champions Trophy, some matches have seen powerful shots that have become unforgettable. Which player holds the record for scoring the most runs in the Champions Trophy?

1. Ibrahim Zadran - 177 vs England, Lahore, 2025

Ibrahim Zadran created history by registering the highest individual score in the ICC Champions Trophy by scoring 177 against England in Lahore in a Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It is also the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batsman in ODIs. Batting first, Afghanistan got off to a poor start as they were bundled out at 37/3. Zadran then shared partnerships of 103 and 111 with Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi to take the team to 325/7.

2. Ben Duckett - 165 vs Australia, Lahore, 2025

England opener Ben Duckett has registered the second-highest individual score by a batsman in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy by scoring 165 runs against Australia in Lahore in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Batting first, Duckett scored 165 runs off 143 balls with the help of 17 fours and three sixes. Duckett's score was almost half of England's total of 351 runs. Australia later achieved the target to register the highest successful run-chase in the history of the competition.

3. Nathan Astle – 145* vs USA, The Oval, 2004

Nathan Astle's 145* innings played against the United States of America (USA) at The Oval in 2004 is a memorable innings in the history of the Champions Trophy. This innings was special in many ways. Nathan Astle scored an unbeaten 145 off 151 balls. His innings included 13 fours and 6 sixes.

4. Andy Flower - 145 vs India, Colombo, 2002

Zimbabwe's great wicketkeeper batsman Andy Flower played a brilliant innings of 145 runs against India in Colombo in the Champions Trophy 2002. This brilliant innings of Andy Flower came in the second innings when his team was chasing 289 runs. He scored 145 runs in just 164 balls with the help of 13 fours. Despite his efforts, Zimbabwe lost the match by 14 runs.

5. Sourav Ganguly - 141* vs South Africa, Nairobi, 2000

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was in his best form during the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2000 against South Africa in Nairobi. Batting first, Ganguly ripped apart the South African bowling attack, scoring 141 runs off 142 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes. He added 145 runs for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid, laying the foundation for India's first innings score of 295. India won the match by 95 runs and Ganguly was named Player of the Match for his efforts.

Highest team score in ICC Champions Trophy history

 The ICC Champions Trophy, often referred to as the (mini World Cup), has seen some of the highest team scores in ODI cricket. Since its inception in 1998, the tournament has seen high-scoring matches where teams put up their best performances. The ICC Champions Trophy has seen many high-scoring matches where teams displayed exceptional batting. In 2025, England now holds the record for the highest total against Australia with 351/8

5. India – 331/7 vs South Africa, 2013

In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, India faced South Africa at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on June 6, 2013. India scored a mammoth 331/7 in their 50 overs. Batting first, the top-order pair of Rohit Sharma (65) and Shikhar Dhawan (114) laid the foundation for a big score. Ravindra Jadeja later scored 47 runs off 29 balls. India won the match by 26 runs and Shikhar Dhawan was named Player of the Match.

4. Pakistan – 338/4 vs India, 2017

In the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Pakistan faced India at the Oval on 18 June 2017. Pakistan scored a strong 338/4 in 50 overs, with opener Fakhar Zaman scoring 114 runs. Fakhar shared a 128-run partnership with Azhar Ali to put Pakistan in a strong position. Pakistan won the match by 180 runs to win their first Champions Trophy title.

3. New Zealand – 347/4 vs USA, 2004

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2004, New Zealand faced USA at the Oval on 10 September 2004. New Zealand scored a strong total of 347/4 in 50 overs. Batting first, New Zealand got off to a great start with a 157-run partnership for the third wicket. Nathan Astle (145) and Scott Styris (75) opened the innings while Craig McMillan played brilliantly by scoring 64 runs in just 27 balls. New Zealand won the match by 210 runs.

2. England – 351/8 vs Australia, 2025

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, England faced Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 22, 2025. England scored a strong 351/8 in 50 overs. Ben Duckett's Champions Trophy record 165, Joe Root's 68 and a few other cameos helped England become the first team to cross the 350-run mark in the competition. However, the bowlers could not defend the score and Australia won the match.

1. Australia – 356/5 vs England, 2025

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Australia faced England on February 22, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Australia successfully chased England's total of 351/8, and finished at 356/5 in 47.3 overs. Despite losing early wickets, Australia successfully chased down the target, and scored 356/5 in 47.3 overs. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey shared a match-winning 146-run partnership. Australia's victory was a brilliant batting performance