Glenn Maxwell announces his retirement from ODI Cricket

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has hung up his boots in the ODI format. The 36-year-old announced his retirement on Monday, drawing the curtains on a career that spanned over a decade. Maxwell was part of the Australian squads that lifted the 2015 and 2023 ICC ODI World Cups. The all-rounder, who recently cut short his stint in IPL 2025 due to an injury, now wants to focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup.

"Felt like I was pulling down the team," Glenn Maxwell shifts his focus to T20 Cricket, announces ODI retirement

Considering his fitness, the all-rounder didn’t entertain the prospect of continuing in the format until the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. Instead, Maxwell expressed that he felt like he was letting the team down, which led him to this decision. Debuting in 2012, Maxwell played 149 ODIs for Australia, amassing 3,990 runs at an average of 33.81. Moreover, his strike rate in the 50-over format, recorded at over 126, is the second-highest in ODIs after Andre Russell. The all-rounder last represented Australia in the format earlier this year at the ICC Champions Trophy.

"I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions," Maxwell said.

"I had a good chat with George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward. We talked about the 2027 World Cup and I said to him 'I don't think I am going to make that, it's time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own.' Hopefully they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role," he added.

Glenn Maxwell, on paper, remains available in the rest of the formats. However, a path that can track his way back into Test cricket isn't plausible. The equation leaves Maxwell catering to the shortest format strictly from here onwards. A broken leg, a decade into his ODI career, pulled down Maxwell's extent in the format. While a heroic knock followed right after, Maxwell isn't keen on stretching his stay in the 50-over format for his 'selfish' reasons.

"I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons. They are moving in such a clear direction so this gives them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is," Maxwell said in the podcast that announced his ODI retirement on Monday.

Anyone who witnessed the wonder brought down by Maxwell in the 2023 ODI World Cup might argue that a leg injury could possibly not be the reason. In a chase of 294, Afghanistan pulled Australia down to 91-7, triggering a collapse in the batting order. However, Maxwell stuck around. Starting the season with two consecutive defeats, Australia's hopes for a semi-final spot rested entirely on the clash against Afghanistan. The opponents, meanwhile, had come after staging an upset against England, confident of their chances against the Kangaroos and nearly scripting another upset. However, Maxwell proved the point of difference.

Battling a leg cramp, Maxwell struck a double ton to take the contest home. Skipper Pat Cummins helped Maxi in the sense that he ensured the other end remained secured. The run-chase, meanwhile, was Maxwell's doing entirely, as he relied on boundaries to avoid worsening his cramps. The double ton by the all-rounder broke multiple elusive records. Maxwell became the first Australian to score a double century in the 50-over format. Moreover, his unbeaten 201 knock was the first double ton in an ODI chase and the first in the format hit by a non-opening batsman. From there, Australia beat India in the final to lift the ODI World Cup.

"I'm extremely fortunate that I was able to have my moment," Maxwell said of his greatest innings. "Everything that you've worked hard for, the peak of your powers, being able to put it in front of the world to see and it's almost like saying, this is the best of me, you can either take it or leave it, but this is all I've got."

Now, the ICC Champions Trophy will mark Maxwell's last appearance in ODI cricket. The marquee event, and Australia's semi-final exit from the tournament, took away two of the most significant Kangaroos. Former skipper Steve Smith took the Champions Trophy exit as a signal to leave the ODI format. His retirement announcement came immediately after the campaign ceased for Australia. Now, Maxwell has added his name to the list of Australian players to retire after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Moving ahead, Maxwell has his eyes set on the shorter format. With the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup as his aim, the all-rounder will keep his schedule busy with league cricket. A part of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, Maxwell's campaign was cut short due to a broken finger. The Australian, however, is likely to fully recover for the upcoming season of Major League Cricket before the Australia squad gears up for the five-match Caribbean tour in July.