Akhilesh Reddy banned 8 years by ICC for Abu Dhabi T10 fixing

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned USA cricketer Akhilesh Reddy from all forms of cricket for eight years after finding him guilty of multiple breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The charges are related to corrupt activities during the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League in the UAE. The ban has been backdated to November 21, 2025, the date on which Reddy was provisionally suspended.

An ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found that Reddy attempted to influence the outcome of a match by asking a teammate to deliberately concede extra runs. According to the tribunal, the request was made on behalf of team management. However, the teammate refused, reported the incident to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit, and was later dropped from the playing XI.

The 26-year-old off-spinner, who represented Aspin Stallions in the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League, was charged after an ICC investigation into alleged corrupt activities during the tournament. Following a formal hearing, the Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of several serious offences under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, resulting in an eight-year ban from all cricket.

Why did Akhilesh Reddy receive an 8-year ICC ban for match-fixing?

Akhilesh Reddy received an eight-year ban after the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of multiple breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code during the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League. According to the ICC, he attempted to improperly influence the outcome and conduct of matches and encouraged another player to take part in corrupt activities.

The tribunal also found that Reddy tried to interfere with the anti-corruption investigation. He was accused of deleting messages and other data from his mobile phone that could have been used as evidence during the inquiry. The ICC considered this a serious violation of its Anti-Corruption Code.

Following the investigation and tribunal hearing, the ICC banned Reddy from all cricket-related activities for eight years. The ban has been backdated to November 21, 2025, the date on which his provisional suspension first came into effect.

Who is Akhilesh Reddy? A brief look at Indian-origin cricket career

Akhilesh Reddy is a 26-year-old USA cricketer who made his international debut in April 2025. He represented the United States in four T20 Internationals (T20Is), taking one wicket, and made his debut against the Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup. He is a right-handed batter and an off-spinner.

Reddy was raised in Hyderabad, India, before moving to the United States in search of better international opportunities. Earlier in his career, he was part of a Vijay Hazare Trophy squad and also worked as a net bowler for IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. His move to American cricket eventually earned him a place in the USA national team.

Before the ICC's anti-corruption investigation, Reddy was considered an emerging player in USA cricket. However, his international career came to a halt after he was found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. His case is the second major anti-corruption issue involving a USA cricketer in recent times. Earlier this year, Aaron Jones was provisionally suspended over alleged corruption during the BIM10 League in Barbados for failing to report a corrupt approach and not cooperating with the ICC's investigation.

ICC's official statement and the charges against Akhilesh Reddy

An ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found Akhilesh Reddy guilty of multiple breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code during the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League. According to the tribunal, Reddy attempted to influence the conduct of matches, encouraged another player to take part in corrupt activities, and obstructed the anti-corruption investigation. The incident took place before Aspin Stallions' opening match of the tournament.

The tribunal found that Reddy tried to persuade a teammate to deliberately concede extra runs during a match at the request of team management. However, the teammate refused the approach, reported the matter to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit, and was later left out of the playing XI. During the investigation, Reddy admitted that he had deleted WhatsApp messages and call logs exchanged with the teammate on the morning of November 19, 2025. The tribunal rejected his claim that the deletion was routine "data hygiene" and concluded that he had intentionally destroyed evidence linked to the investigation.

According to the ICC's official statement, Reddy was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.1 (attempting to fix or improperly influence a match), Article 2.1.4 (encouraging another participant to engage in corrupt conduct), and Article 2.4.7 (obstructing the investigation by deleting relevant data and messages). These violations resulted in an eight-year ban from all cricket-related activities. Reddy, who represented the USA in four T20 Internationals, made his international debut against the Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup.

What the ICC ban means for Akhilesh Reddy and USA cricket

The ICC's decision to ban Akhilesh Reddy for eight years is a major setback for both the player and USA Cricket. The verdict was delivered by a three-member tribunal comprising Michael J. Beloff KC, Justice Kate O'Regan, and Lloyd Mhishi, following an investigation into corruption during the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League.

For Reddy, the ban brings his cricket career to a standstill. The 26-year-old made his international debut for the USA against the Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup and went on to play four T20 Internationals, taking one wicket. He will now be unable to take part in any cricket-related activity during the eight-year suspension.

The case is also a setback for USA Cricket, which has been working to grow the sport and strengthen its reputation on the international stage. The ICC's action highlights its strict stance against corruption and serves as a reminder that all players are expected to follow the game's anti-corruption rules.