Rajasthan Royals Team Manager Sparks Controversy Over Prohibited Mobile Phone Use in Dugout During IPL 2026
Rajasthan Royals Team Manager Romi Bhinder faces intense scrutiny after a viral video showed him using a mobile phone in the dugout during the IPL 2026 match against RCB in Guwahati. Despite RR's victory led by Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the breach of IPL anti-corruption and playing condition rules regarding electronic devices has sparked a major controversy and potential BCCI action.
The footage, which has been widely circulated, captures Rajasthan Royals staff member Ravindra Singh Bhinder, popularly known as Romi Bhinder, utilizing a mobile phone while seated alongside Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the dugout. Bhinder serves as the Rajasthan Royals Team Manager and occasionally assists players during practice sessions. The optics of a team official engaging with an electronic device during an active match have raised immediate questions regarding the integrity of the game and the enforcement of the IPL Code of Conduct.
According to the established IPL playing conditions and international cricket regulations, players, coaches, and support staff are strictly prohibited from using mobile phones or any communication devices during the duration of a match. Although the guidelines provide a narrow exception allowing a Team Manager to use a mobile phone for administrative purposes, this permission is strictly confined to the dressing room area. The regulations explicitly forbid the use of such devices in the dugout or on the field of play.
The viral video confirms that Romi Bhinder was operating his phone while positioned in the dugout, representing a clear violation of the existing anti-corruption and administrative rules. The authenticity of the video is undisputed, confirming the event took place during the live match proceedings. This breach has placed the Rajasthan Royals management in a precarious position as the cricketing community awaits a formal response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The significance of this incident transcends a simple procedural error, as the prohibition of communication devices is a cornerstone of maintaining the security and transparency of professional cricket. By disregarding the designated zones for electronic usage, the Royals’ manager has invited potential disciplinary action. All eyes are now on the BCCI to determine the severity of the sanctions to be imposed against Bhinder for this high-profile violation of IPL mandates.

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