⚖️ ICC Imposes 6-Year Ban on Sunny Dhillon
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Sunny Dhillon, former assistant coach of the Pune Devils in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, from all forms of cricket for six years. The ICC found Dhillon guilty of violating multiple articles of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.
The ban is effective from September 13, 2023, the day Dhillon was provisionally suspended. This move follows similar action taken against other team officials, including franchise co-owners, coaches, and players, as part of the ICC’s ongoing anti-corruption crackdown.
📋 What Did Sunny Dhillon Do?
After a detailed investigation and a full hearing, Dhillon was found guilty of three key charges under the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code:
- Match-Fixing Attempts (Article 2.1.1)
Dhillon was found to have been involved in attempts to fix, contrive, or improperly influence matches during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League. - Failure to Disclose Corrupt Approaches (Article 2.4.4)
He failed to report any approaches or invitations to engage in corrupt conduct to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) as required under the code. - Lack of Cooperation with Investigators (Article 2.4.6)
Dhillon refused to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation, despite being obligated to do so under anti-corruption rules.
These serious breaches led to a six-year ban from participating in any form of cricket-related activities worldwide.
🏏 Other Officials Also Punished
Sunny Dhillon isn’t the only individual to face disciplinary action from the ICC. Eight other individuals were charged with anti-corruption breaches during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Who Else Was Involved?
- Nasir Hossain (Bangladesh Allrounder) – Banned for two years in January 2024.
- Krishan Kumar Chaudhary (Pune Devils Co-owner) – Banned in August 2024.
- Parag Sanghvi (Pune Devils Co-owner) – Banned in August 2024.
- Ashar Zaidi (Pune Devils Batting Coach) – Banned in August 2024.
- Shadab Ahamed (Team Manager) – Also charged but details of his ban are yet to be disclosed.
All these individuals were found to be involved in activities related to corrupt practices and match-fixing during the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
📅 When Did the Investigation Begin?
The investigation into these anti-corruption breaches began in 2021, during the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament. Allegations surfaced that certain officials and players were attempting to influence match results.
As a result, the ICC and Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) launched a thorough investigation. The probe revealed a pattern of corrupt activities involving team officials, co-owners, and even players.
The ICC’s crackdown on corruption has been relentless, with bans being handed out to those found guilty. The ICC is committed to maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring cricket remains clean and free from corrupt practices.
📉 What Happened to Pune Devils?
The 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League was the last time the Pune Devils franchise participated in the tournament. The team had a disappointing performance, finishing at the bottom of the table with only 1 win in 6 matches.
After these corruption scandals, the Pune Devils were no longer part of the T10 League. Their absence from the league is seen as a direct consequence of the anti-corruption charges against key officials, including co-owners and coaching staff.
🚨 Key Takeaways
- Sunny Dhillon, former assistant coach of Pune Devils, has been banned for six years from all cricket-related activities.
- He was found guilty of match-fixing attempts, failing to report corrupt approaches, and not cooperating with investigators.
- The ban is effective from September 13, 2023.
- Other team officials, including franchise co-owners, coaches, and players, were also punished as part of the ICC’s anti-corruption crackdown.
- The Pune Devils franchise has not returned to the Abu Dhabi T10 League since the 2021 season.
📣 Final Thoughts
The ICC’s decision to ban Sunny Dhillon sends a strong message to anyone involved in cricket: corruption will not be tolerated. The six-year ban is a significant step in maintaining the integrity of the sport and deterring others from engaging in similar activities.
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