Who is Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy? USA Cricketer Banned by ICC for Eight Years Explained

USA cricketer Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy has been banned from all forms of cricket for eight years after an International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of attempting to fix matches during the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League.

The 26-year-old, who represented the United States in four T20 Internationals, was found guilty of three breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, with the ban backdated to November 21, 2025-the date he was provisionally suspended.

Who is Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy?

Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy is an Indian-born cricketer who represents the United States at international level.

Raised in Hyderabad, Reddy played age-group and domestic cricket in India and was previously part of a Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. He also worked as a net bowler with Sunrisers Hyderabad before relocating to the United States in pursuit of greater playing opportunities.

A right-handed batter and off-spinner, Reddy made his USA debut against the Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup and went on to play four T20Is, claiming one wicket. He has also featured in franchise cricket, including a stint with Washington Freedom.

Why has Akhilesh Reddy been banned?

The ICC’s investigation centred on the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, where the governing body acted as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board.

According to the ICC, the tribunal found Reddy guilty of:

• Attempting to improperly influence the outcome or conduct of matches.
• Encouraging another player to participate in corrupt activity.
• Obstructing the investigation by deleting evidence from his mobile phone.

The tribunal imposed an eight-year ban, which will run until November 2033.

What did the ICC say Reddy did?

The charges stem from an incident on the morning of November 19, 2025, before an Abu Dhabi T10 match involving the Aspin Stallions.

According to the tribunal, Reddy approached a teammate-identified only as “Player A”-and allegedly asked him to deliberately concede extra runs while bowling at the request of team management.

The player rejected the proposal and immediately reported the conversation to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit.

The tribunal also noted that Player A was subsequently removed from the playing XI shortly before the match, a development that formed part of the wider investigation.

Why was deleting WhatsApp messages significant?

One of the three charges against Reddy related to the destruction of evidence.

He admitted deleting WhatsApp messages and call logs exchanged with Player A, arguing that it was part of his routine “data hygiene.”

The tribunal rejected that explanation, concluding the deletions were intentional and designed to remove material that could have been relevant to the ICC’s investigation.

That finding formed the basis of the charge for obstructing the anti-corruption inquiry.

How did Reddy defend himself?

Reddy denied making a corrupt approach.

He argued that the private meeting with Player A concerned a possible USA training camp ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup rather than match-fixing.

The tribunal, however, found the explanation implausible, questioning why such a discussion required a private hotel-room meeting instead of a conversation through official channels or over the phone.

After reviewing witness testimony and available evidence, the three-member tribunal found him guilty on all three counts.

What does the ban mean?

Reddy’s eight-year suspension prevents him from participating in any cricket sanctioned by the ICC or its member boards until November 2033.

The case also marks the second high-profile anti-corruption matter involving a USA international in recent months. Earlier this year, fellow USA cricketer Aaron Jones was provisionally suspended in a separate investigation relating to alleged corruption during the BIM10 League in Barbados.

For Reddy, the tribunal’s verdict effectively brings his professional cricket career to a halt for the remainder of the decade.