This is an archive article published on January 28, 2022
Brendan Taylor corruption case: $15k, clothes, new phone, cocaine and a compromising video
The official publication of the proceedings of the hearing between the International Cricket Council and Brendan Taylor brings to light that the former Zimbabwe captain wasn’t upfront about his meeting with the Indian businessman when he made a delayed admission about the approach.
On March 31, 2020 Taylor reported an approach from an Indian businessman (Mr S) which happened in November 2019. However, when he first disclosed the approach, Taylor made no mention of him getting a request from the businessman about fixing matches before he accepted $15,000. Taylor did mention that he received the money but first said it was as part of an appearance fee. “In subsequent interviews, however, Mr Taylor changed his story and accepted that while he had initially travelled to India believing that he would be paid an appearance fee of US$15,000, at the end of his trip when the payment was actually made to him, it followed a discussion around corruption and a request for him to be involved in corrupting matches in exchange for payment,” the report said.
During the course of interviews, Taylor said when Mr S first contacted him, he referred him to his agent. A red flag was raised by the agent when he told Taylor ‘not to waste his time as he has a bad feeling about Mr S’. The businessman had first called Taylor to enquire if he was keen to play in the Afghanistan Premier League. But a month later (after the agent had warned him), Taylor got another call and this time he travelled to India for three nights and four days at the businessman’s expense. This time, Mr S told Taylor he wanted to discuss starting a T20 tournament in Zimbabwe and would pay him $15,000 for his time.
New phone, clothes
On reaching India, Taylor was given a new Samsung S10 phone. Taylor claims, in interviews, that he took the phone because his phone was ‘busted up’. Mr S also paid for new clothes for Taylor and also ‘provided Taylor with various things for his entertainment while he was in India’.
Looking for another player
At the end of the trip, Taylor met Mr S and his associates and this time there was a discussion about spot-fixing in international games. Mr S told Taylor he could make $35,000 for engaging in spot-fixing. Mr S also told Taylor that he wanted to rope in one more player to fix matches.
Compromising video
Taylor said that he had initially refused to be involved in fixing but accepted the money because Mr S told him that he had a compromising video which he would release to the media and Mr Taylor’s wife. Taylor, in his post on Twitter earlier this week, had said he had consumed cocaine during the trip to India. Taylor said he was worried about what Mr S and his associates would do and hence took the money as he wanted to leave India.
Taylor next heard from Mr S in mid-March 2020, while he was on tour with Zimbabwe in Bangladesh. Mr S called him and said that while he had not worked for him before that point, now was the time to do so. Taylor stated that he refused to do any work for Mr S. Taylor then received a message from the businessman saying that he would release the compromising video.
$15k unreturned
Taylor, according to the official publication, still has the US$ 15,000 which he said is being looked after safely by a friend. Taylor said he was clear that neither he, nor his family nor his friends can benefit from this money (whether directly or indirectly) in any way.
During the hearing, it was agreed that Taylor’s return to participation in cricket, following the expiry of his period of ineligibility, is conditional upon him demonstrating, to the ICC’s satisfaction, that nobody close to him has benefitted from the money.
Nihal Koshie is an Associate Editor and sports writer at The Indian Express. He is best known for his in-depth reporting and investigative work that often explores the intersection of sports and social issues. He is also a key member of the sports desk, which is based out of The Indian Express' office in Noida.
Professional Background
Role: Associate Editor (Sports) at The Indian Express.
Key Achievements: He is a two-time winner of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. He won the RNG award for 'Sports Journalism' for 2019 for his exclusive interview and follow up stories with sprinter Dutee Chand, who became the first Indian athlete to say she was in a same-sex relationship. He won his second RNG award in the 'Investigative Reporting' for 2023 for a series of exclusive stories related to sexual harassment charges levelled against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by the country's top women wrestlers.
Expertise: While he covers major sports, he is particularly recognized for his extensive reporting on Athletics, investigative stories and long-form news features.
Recent Notable Topics & Articles (Late 2025)
Nihal Koshie’s recent work reflects a focus on investigative and human-interest stories
Recent investigative pieces: He recently wrote a profile of an Indian teenager serving a jail sentence in Kenya after being embroiled in a doping scandal while chasing "Olympic dreams."
Wrestling: He continues to track the political and social fallout of the Indian wrestling protests, including the recent public appearances of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the political career of wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
Recent long-form features: The story of the rise of Kranti Gaud, the young fast bowler who was a key member of the ICC women's World Cup-winning team; The physics and science behind modern cricket bats
Podcast Presence
He is a guest and contributor to the "Game Time" podcast by The Indian Express, where he provides technical and social analysis of current sporting events.
Experience: 24+ years
Previous experience: Times of India (2001-2005), Daily News and Analysis (2005 to 2010)
Nihal joined The Indian Express in May, 2010
Social Media
X ( formerly Twitter) : @nkoshie
You can follow his latest work and full archive on his official author profile. ... Read More
