ICC Bans India-Origin USA Player For Breaching Anti-Corruption Code

ICC bans USA player [Source: X, AFP]

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned USA cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy for eight years. The former Hyderabad player has been found guilty by an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal of breaching three counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

The charges relate to the 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2025 season in the UAE in November last year.

Washington Freedom star banned by ICC

USA and Washington Freedom cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy has been banned by the ICC for a period of eight years. The charges first came to light in November last year, when he was charged for breaching anti-corruption code in the Abu Dhabi T20 League. 

Also Read- The Rise Of Associate Nations In T20 World Cup: What’s Still Due For Cricket’s Upliftment?

While he was provisionally suspended by the ICC back then, the ICC tribunal has now found him guilty for breaching three counts of the ICC anti-corruption code, namely Article 2.1.1, Article 2.1.4 and Article 2.4.7.

The ban is also backdated to November 21, 2025, when Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy was provisionally suspended. He will now only be able to return to cricket by November 2033, i.e., by the time he turns 33.

Reddy’s offences under the ICC anti-corruption code read as follows: 

Article 2.1.1 – Attempting to fix, contrive or otherwise influence improperly, or being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches in the ADT10 2025.

Article 2.1.4 - soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating (or attempting to do the former) another Participant to breach Article 2.1.1 of the Code in one or more Matches in the ADT10 2025.

Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing the DACO’s investigation through deletion of data and messages from a mobile device which may have been relevant to the DACO’s investigation.

Who is Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy?

Born in USA in 2000, Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy was raised in Hyderabad, India. He has been a part of the Hyderabad cricket team in Indian domestic tournaments. 

In the Abu Dhabi T10 League, he was part of the UP Nawabs franchise when he was charged under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. 

Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy has so far played four T20I matches for the USA team, all within the space of a week in April 2025 last year during the North America T20 Cup 2025 season. 

In four innings, the right-arm off-spinner managed to pick up just one wicket at an expensive bowling average of 85. 

The 26-year-old was also a part of the Washington Freedom franchise in the first two editions of the MLC in 2023 and 2024. However, Reddy did not receive a single opportunity in the playing XI during his time with the franchise.

USA Cricket marred with controversies 

The USA Cricket has been marred with much controversies off late. Apart from Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy’s ban, USA Cricket had a financial fallout with the American Cricket Enterprises (ACE). 

Moreover, the board was also suspended by the ICC owing to its irregularities. Just a few weeks ago, a court-approved settlement seemingly brought an end to USA Cricket’s dispute with the ACE. 

Also Read- Australia Compromise 2027 World Cup Preparations To Beat India In Border-Gavaskar Trophy