Rajasthan Royals (RR) manager Romi Bhinder has been handed a fine and a warning for using a mobile phone in the dugout during an IPL 2026 match. But he escaped a ban: here’s why.
When did the RR manager use a mobile phone in the dugout?
The incident happened during RR’s IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati on April 10. Batting first, RCB had posted 201, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 15-ball fifty made light work of the total and RR were left needing 73 more off 71 deliveries when he fell in the ninth over.
Also read: RR support staff spotted using mobile phone in the dugout vs RCB - here's what the IPL protocols say
All attention was on Sooryavanshi after yet another superlative knock when Bhinder, sitting next to him in the dugout, was spotted using a mobile phone on camera. The youngster was also caught peeping into the phone, with many wondering whether the RR support staff would be handed a potential suspension or ban.
As per IPL’s Players and Match Officials Areas (PMOA) protocol, mobile phones are not allowed to be used in the dugout during a match. “The Team Manager may use a phone in the Dressing Room area but NOT in the Dugout,” the protocol states. “For players and other members of the support staff, phones, smart watches or any other communication devices should be turned off and given to the team SLO (Security Liaison Office) for storage on arrival at the stadium.”
Why the RR manager was fined but not banned
Subsequently, BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) sent a show-cause notice to Bhinder, asking for a response within 48 hours, as per Cricbuzz. The RR support staff promptly sent his explanation that a serious medical issue requires him to keep the phone with him at all times.
Following ASCU’s investigation, Bhinder was cleared of any wrongdoing but was still fined INR 1 lakh and given a formal warning, as this was his first offence. Times of India’s Sahil Malhotra reported that the BCCI were convinced by the manager’s explanation regarding his health issues, and thus there were “no severe consequences,” according to a senior BCCI official.
On the other hand, TOI’s Gaurav Gupta reported that BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said Bhinder, "gave us some explanation, but we were not satisfied with it." There was no suspension or ban, and just a warning on top of the fine, because this was a first-time offence.
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