The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned United States cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy from all forms of cricket for eight years. An independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal found the 26-year-old guilty of breaching three separate counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
The charges stem from corrupt activities linked to the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament in the United Arab Emirates, where the ICC acted as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) for the Emirates Cricket Board. The eight-year suspension takes effect immediately and has been backdated to 21 November 2025, the date when Reddy was initially provisionally suspended.
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| Detail | Information |
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| Player | Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy (Age 26, USA) |
| Tournament | 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 (UAE) |
| Total Ban Duration | 8 Years |
| Provisional Ban Date | 21 November 2025 (Backdated) |
| Ruling Body | ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal |
| Sanction Structure | 7 years concurrent + 1 year consecutive |
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ICC Hands Eight-Year Ban to USA Cricketer
The ICC confirmed the decision after an extensive tribunal hearing. The tribunal handed Reddy a seven-year ban for attempting to improperly influence match proceedings and another seven-year ban for soliciting a teammate to participate in corrupt conduct. Because those two sanctions run concurrently, they carry a seven-year sentence.
However, the tribunal added an extra one-year ban running consecutively for obstructing the investigation by deleting evidence from his mobile phone. This brings his total ban to eight years, effectively ending his professional international career.
The ICC Investigation
The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) launched its investigation following an incident on 19 November 2025 prior to an Aspin Stallions match in the Abu Dhabi T10. According to tribunal evidence, Reddy invited a teammate, identified as “Player A,” to his hotel room. Reddy asked Player A to intentionally “give runs” during his bowling spell.
Player A immediately rejected the corrupt approach and reported the incident to the ICC ACU within an hour. The tribunal commended Player A for providing clear and consistent testimony across initial reports, written statements, and hearing cross-examinations.
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| Code Article | Offence Description |
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| Article 2.1.1 | Attempting to improperly influence or fix matches |
| Article 2.1.4 | Soliciting or encouraging another player to fix |
| Article 2.4.7 | Obstructing investigation by deleting phone data |
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What Rules Were Breached?
The Anti-Corruption Tribunal found Reddy guilty of three specific code breaches:
- Article 2.1.1: Attempting to fix, contrive, or otherwise improperly influence the result, progress, conduct, or other aspects of matches in the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10.
- Article 2.1.4: Soliciting, inducing, persuading, or encouraging another participant to breach Article 2.1.1 of the code.
- Article 2.4.7: Obstructing or delaying the DACO’s investigation by intentionally deleting data and WhatsApp messages from his mobile device.
Investigators discovered that Reddy manually deleted his WhatsApp conversation and call logs with Player A before submitting his phone for inspection. While Reddy argued that the deletions were routine phone management, the tribunal rejected his defense, noting that his messages were already set to auto-delete after 24 hours.
ICC’s Stand Against Corruption
The ICC maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corrupt practices in global cricket. The Anti-Corruption Unit continuously monitors international and sanctioned domestic franchise leagues to protect the integrity of the sport.
Imposing severe sanctions deters future wrongdoing and reassures fans, sponsors, and broadcasters. The tribunal emphasized that attempting to corrupt players strikes at the heart of fair competition and public trust.
Impact on USA Cricket
The eight-year ban represents a significant blow to Reddy, who had previously represented the USA national team in four T20 Internationals. As cricket continues to expand rapidly in the United States, maintaining strict integrity standards remains paramount for USA Cricket and domestic leagues like Minor League Cricket.
This case serves as a crucial learning experience for young players in emerging cricketing nations. It highlights the importance of immediate reporting when exposed to corrupt approaches.
Reaction from the Cricket World
In its official media release, the ICC confirmed the ruling and published the tribunal’s findings regarding liability and sanctions.
The tribunal highlighted Player A’s prompt actions in reporting the corrupt approach:
“Player A rejected the approach and contacted his agent immediately after leaving the room. The matter was reported to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit within approximately an hour… The panel noted that Player A’s account remained consistent throughout.”
Conclusion
The eight-year ban issued to Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy reflects the ICC’s resolute commitment to eradicating corruption from cricket. By enforcing strict penalties for match-fixing attempts and evidence tampering, the governing body sends an unmistakable message across all member nations. Safeguarding the integrity of the game remains essential as cricket expands into new markets globally.
References & Credits
- International Cricket Council (ICC): Official Media Release: Akhilesh Reddy Banned for Eight Years Under Anti-Corruption Code (August 3, 2026).
- Hindustan Times: USA Player Akhilesh Reddy Handed Eight-Year Ban for Attempted Fixing and Deleting Evidence (August 3, 2026).
- Sky Sports: USA Cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy Banned for Eight Years by ICC Tribunal (August 3, 2026).
- Times of India: USA Cricketer Akhilesh Reddy Handed 8-Year Ban by ICC for Corruption Offences (August 3, 2026).
- ESPNcricinfo: ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal Disciplinary Rulings & Player Database (August 2026).
