USA player Akhilesh Reddy banned for eight years by ICC for corruption offences
USA cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy has received an eight-year ban from all forms of cricket. The ban was imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching three counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. This decision stems from incidents related to the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The ban is effective from November 21, 2025, the date when Reddy was provisionally suspended. The ICC had been appointed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to act as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) for the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.
Breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code
The Tribunal determined that Akhilesh Reddy violated specific articles of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. These breaches included attempts to improperly influence matches and obstructing the investigation into these activities. The charges against the 26-year-old player are detailed under three articles of the Code.
One of the key breaches was Article 2.1.1, which prohibits attempting to fix, contrive, or otherwise improperly influence the result, progress, conduct, or other aspects of matches. This also includes being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise improperly influence matches in the ADT10 2025.
Additionally, Reddy was found guilty under Article 2.1.4. This article addresses soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging, or intentionally facilitating another participant to breach Article 2.1.1 of the Code in one or more matches during the ADT10 2025. This suggests an attempt to involve other players in corrupt practices.
A further charge, under Article 2.4.7, related to obstructing the DACO’s investigation. This obstruction involved the deletion of data and messages from a mobile device, which the tribunal deemed potentially relevant to the investigation.
Details of the Case
The case unfolded from an incident on November 19, 2025, just before the opening match of the Aspin Stallions. According to the tribunal’s findings, Akhilesh Reddy approached a teammate, identified as ‘Player A’, and requested that he “give runs” while bowling. Reddy allegedly stated that these instructions came from the team management.
Player A refused this request and subsequently reported the approach to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Following this report, Player A was dropped from the playing XI for the match. Investigators later discovered that Reddy had deleted WhatsApp chats and call logs with Player A prior to the commencement of the probe.
While Reddy claimed that the deletion of these messages was part of routine “data hygiene,” the tribunal concluded that he had deliberately destroyed evidence relevant to the investigation. This action contributed to the finding of guilt for obstructing the DACO’s investigation.
Akhilesh Reddy has represented the USA national team in four T20Is, where he recorded one wicket. He made his debut for the national side against the Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup. The verdict to ban Reddy for eight years was delivered by a three-member ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal.
The decision on both liability and sanction, with redactions to protect the identities of the ICC’s witnesses and other third parties, is available for further details.
Source: icc-cricket.com
Priya Menon 