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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a six-year ban on Sunny Dhillon, a former assistant coach of the Pune Devils franchise in the Abu Dhabi T10 league, for breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.
The charges stemmed from Dhillon’s involvement in corrupt activities during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, where attempts were made to improperly influence match outcomes.
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Charges Against Sunny Dhillon
After a detailed investigation, Dhillon was found guilty of violating three provisions of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code:
- Article 2.1.1: Being involved in an attempt to fix or influence matches improperly.
- Article 2.4.4: Failing to disclose full details of approaches or invitations to engage in corruption to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO).
- Article 2.4.6: Failing to cooperate with the investigation carried out by DACO.
The ICC stated that these efforts were uncovered and disrupted through cooperation between the ICC and DACO. Dhillon’s ban has been backdated to September 13, 2023, when he was provisionally suspended.
Corruption Scandal in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10
Dhillon is one of eight individuals charged last year for anti-corruption violations in the 2021 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 league. The group included:
- Nasir Hossain (Bangladesh allrounder): Banned for two years in January 2024.
- Ashar Zaidi (batting coach), Krishan Kumar Chaudhary, and Parag Sanghvi (co-owners of Pune Devils): Banned in August 2024 after admitting to corrupt activities.
- Two domestic players and team manager Shadab Ahamed also faced charges.
The Pune Devils, who finished last in the 2021 tournament with just one win in six matches, were removed from the league following the controversy.
ICC’s Statement on the Case
In a release, the ICC emphasized the seriousness of the violations, highlighting the robust anti-corruption measures in place during the tournament. “These efforts were disrupted by the ICC and the Designated Anti-Corruption Official for the purposes of the ECB’s Code,” the statement read.
The ICC reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and its commitment to preserving the integrity of the game.
This ban serves as another reminder of the ICC’s efforts to safeguard cricket against corrupt practices, ensuring that those involved in misconduct face significant consequences.
