Former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) net bowler and USA international cricketer Akhilesh Reddy has been handed an eight-year ban from all forms of cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being found guilty of corruption offences linked to the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League. The decision follows an investigation by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Tribunal, which found the Hyderabad-born cricketer guilty of attempting to influence matches and obstructing the subsequent investigation.
The ban, announced by the ICC, has been backdated to November 21, 2025, the date on which Reddy was provisionally suspended.
From Hyderabad Cricket to International Recognition
Akhilesh Reddy grew up in Hyderabad and initially pursued a cricket career in India. He was part of Hyderabad’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad and later served as a net bowler for IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, after struggling to secure a regular place in Indian domestic cricket, he moved to the United States to continue his career.
Reddy went on to represent the USA in four T20 Internationals, making his debut against the Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup. He also featured for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.
Why the ICC Imposed the Ban
According to the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal, Reddy was found guilty of three violations of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code during the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.
The tribunal concluded that he:
- Attempted to improperly influence the result or conduct of a match.
- Encouraged another participant to engage in corrupt activity.
- Obstructed the ICC’s investigation by deleting relevant data and messages from his mobile phone.
These findings resulted in the tribunal imposing an eight-year suspension from all cricket-related activities.
How the Case Unfolded
The incident reportedly occurred before the opening match involving the Aspin Stallions during the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
According to the tribunal, Reddy allegedly approached a teammate—identified only as “Player A”—and asked him to deliberately concede runs while bowling, claiming the instruction had come from team management. The teammate refused the request and immediately reported the approach to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. Following the report, the player was left out of the playing XI.
Investigators also found that Reddy had deleted WhatsApp messages and call logs relevant to the inquiry. Although he claimed the deletion was routine, the tribunal ruled that it amounted to deliberate destruction of evidence.
ICC’s Official Statement
In its official announcement, the ICC confirmed that the tribunal had found Reddy guilty of breaching three provisions of the Anti-Corruption Code and imposed an eight-year ban covering all forms of cricket. The ICC acted as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) for the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board.
Another Blow for USA Cricket
Reddy’s suspension marks the second recent anti-corruption case involving a USA international cricketer.
Earlier this year, Aaron Jones was provisionally suspended over alleged corruption-related offences connected to the BIM10 League in Barbados. The back-to-back cases have raised concerns about integrity issues involving players participating in franchise T10 competitions.
A Career Derailed
Reddy’s journey—from representing Hyderabad in domestic cricket and working as an SRH net bowler to playing international cricket for the United States—had reflected a promising second chance in the sport. However, the ICC’s verdict has effectively brought his professional cricket career to a halt.
The case also serves as a reminder of the ICC’s continued focus on protecting the integrity of the game through strict enforcement of its Anti-Corruption Code, particularly in franchise cricket tournaments around the world.
