Rajasthan Royals’ long-time team manager, Romi Bhinder is under fire after he was spotted using a phone while seated in the team dugout with teenage phenom Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. TV cameras caught Bhinder using a cell phone on Friday during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). A social media influencer initially posted about the incident on Instagram, but it has subsequently been determined that Bhinder was, in fact, using a cell phone throughout the Royals’ six-wicket victory in Guwahati.
“Yes, Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA), as cell phones are banned in the dugout during a match,” a BCCI official confirmed, according to a PTI report.
The relevant PMOA protocol 2026 clause on the IPL’s official website reads, “The Team Manager may use a phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout.” According to those with knowledge, Bhinder was supposed to be well-versed in the anti-corruption procedures, given his affiliation with the franchise from its founding.
“It could be inadvertent, but there has to be some action since it amounts to a breach. Whether it will be a warning or a match ban will depend on the match referee and the ACU report. Based on that, the IPL GC can take a call,” the senior board official added.
Bhinder may come under more scrutiny, given that Sooryavanshi called him his ‘local guardian’ during the post-match presentation.
The dugout of an IPL team is regarded as a high-security area to guard against outside interference with the game. Lalit Modi, a former IPL commissioner, publicly brought attention to the incident and questioned the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) officials’ location.
The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit is anticipated to look into the situation and then submit a report to the head of the ACU. The report will determine the type of punishment Bhinder will get.
He might be subject to a number of sanctions, such as a hefty fine or a brief suspension from the PMOA, which would essentially exclude him from the dressing room and dugout for future games.
