Glenn Maxwell Announces ODI Retirement to Focus on T20 Cricket

Jun, 3 2025

Glenn Maxwell Steps Aside From ODIs After Decorated Career

Australia's cricket fans woke up to big news: Glenn Maxwell, the game-changer and crowd-favorite, has decided to retire from One-Day International (ODI) cricket. The announcement came on June 2, 2025, with Maxwell pointing to mounting physical challenges and a renewed hunger to focus on T20 cricket ahead of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. His decision marks the end of a memorable 13-year ODI journey packed with crucial runs, game-changing overs, and dramatic plays Australians won’t soon forget.

Maxwell wasn’t just another face in the squad—he redefined what it meant to be an all-rounder. With 3,990 runs and 77 wickets in 149 matches, he could turn a dead rubber into a must-watch thriller. He starred in two World Cup-winning teams, helping Australia lift the trophy in 2015 and then again in 2023. That mix of sheer power with the bat, uncanny sharpness in the field, and knack for picking wickets set him apart. He saved some of his best moments for the ICC stage, always showing up when the pressure soared.

Focusing on T20s and Future Talent

Maxwell made it clear: this wasn’t a gentle fadeout. He talked about feeling the physical strain and not wanting to "hold on for selfish reasons." His final ODI came during the 2023 ICC Champions Trophy against India, drawing a line under a significant era. While he’s stepping away from one format, he’s not leaving cricket behind—he’ll keep donning Australian colors in T20 internationals, right through what promises to be a heated hunt for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The timing lines up with a global recalibration toward T20 cricket. Maxwell's next priorities? The T20 World Cup, the Big Bash League, and other short-format events around the world. He spoke of opening doors for new cricketers—handing over his ODI spot earlier to let selectors craft a team for the 2027 World Cup. The message is clear: he wants to exit on his own terms, while he’s still a force in the sport, instead of being forced out by injury or fading skills.

Speaking to selector George Bailey, Maxwell highlighted the importance of looking ahead. He doesn’t want to block fresh talent or put his own brand before what’s best for the Australian side. This move builds a runway for the next generation, just as veterans did when he first burst onto the international scene back in 2012.

As cricket evolves fast—especially with the growing popularity of franchise leagues—Maxwell’s retirement is a sign of changing times. There’s more emphasis these days on longevity, smarter workload management, and keeping the spark alive in the shortest format. Australia might miss his explosive game in ODIs, but don’t expect Maxwell to slow down. If anything, his T20 fire is still very much alive, and he’s itching to set new standards in the years to come.