Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli in ICC ODI events: From Champions Trophy to World Cup

Australian batting maestro Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), marking the end of an illustrious career 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 become modern-day greats, regularly battling each other in ICC knockout matches, including World Cup finals and Test championship clashes.

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 World 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 between the two modern-day greats, with both players continuing to be key figures in India-Australia 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 most 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 June 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 Australia never really got close to the target.

This 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 victorious 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 impact 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 against India in the semi-final of Champions Trophy 2025