Steve Smith openly reveals his retirement plans

Australian superstar Steve Smith isn't planning to hang up his boots anytime soon, as he has committed to a three-year contract with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL). There has been a lot of question over Smith’s international future, as he was already sidelined from the T20Is.

However, the legendary batter has been much part of Australia’s Test and ODI scheme, but there is uncertainty over his future after he was overlooked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and then dropped for the T20 World Cup 2024.

The retirement talks about Smith’s gained momentum after Warner retired from all formats of the game earlier this year.

Amid retirement rumors, Steve Smith locks in three-year BBL deal with Sydney Sixers

But the right-handed batter has not yet given up with his Test spot already secured. Although Smith’s position in the ODI cricket is under the clouds.

Meanwhile, Smith has strongly expressed his desire to return to T20 scenes, and signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers is a massive step towards his dream to play at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

The 35-year-old has been involved in various T20 leagues, including Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US. Smith recently captained the Washington Freedom to their first title in the MLC 2024, reaffirming that he still has plenty to contribute in the T20 format. He wants to play the T20 format at least for the next four year.

THREE ✍️ MORE ✍️ YEARS ✍️

Steve Smith signs on for the next 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 years! 🙌

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While his international future remains uncertain, Smith will continue playing in the BBL until he's 37. The Sydney Sixers announced that the former Australian captain will stay with the team through the end of the BBL 16 season. He is expected to be available for the crucial BBL matches this season.

We couldn’t be happier to have Steve Smith on board long-term: Rachael Haynes

Sydney Sixers General Manager, Rachael Haynes, said in an official statement: “It’s fantastic news to have Steve Smith commit to the club for the next three years. He’s one of the best players in the world and we know just how excited our members and fans will be to see him in pink in the coming seasons.”

Haynes further noted, “Steve is a proven performer in this format and he’s in outstanding white-ball form at the moment, leading Washington Freedom to their first title in Major League Cricket last month. Steve is a Sixer through and through and has been part of the club since the very beginning. It’s a sign of significant commitment on his part to sign on with the club for the next three years and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board long-term.”

I don't have any plans: Smith

Meanwhile, Steve Smith stressed that he doesn’t have any plans regarding his retirement from any format of the game at the moment. He added that signing a long-term BBL deal with the Sixers will offer him the chance to stake his claims for the Olympics 2028.

Steve Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo: “I don't have any plans. I'm just enjoying playing at the moment, I'm pretty relaxed and looking forward to this summer. I could still be playing T20 cricket in four years, so you never know. I've signed on here for three years so it's only another year after that. It would be cool to be part of an Olympics.”