The Rajasthan Royals have been making headlines this season in IPL 2026 for their impressive batting performance. However, a controversial moment took center stage during their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Friday night. The focus shifted from the team’s powerful batting to a different topic when RR team manager Romi Bhinder was caught on camera using a mobile phone while in the team dugout.
A video circulating on social media showed Romi Bhinder seemingly texting on his phone, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi next to him, during Rajasthan Royals’ pursuit of 202 runs, shortly after Vaibhav’s dismissal. Former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi raised concerns about the use of mobile phones in the team dugout, questioning the presence of anti-corruption officers.
According to the BCCI’s regulations on Player and Match Officials Areas (PMOA), mobile phones and electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited in the PMOA, except for certain team members. The protocol explicitly states that the Team Manager can use a phone in the Dressing Room area but not in the Dugout. All players and support staff are required to switch off their mobile devices upon arriving at the stadium and hand them over for storage.
The controversy surrounding Romi Bhinder’s phone use revolves around the specific location. While using a phone inside the dressing room may be permissible for logistical purposes, bringing it into the dugout, a sensitive area of the PMOA, is considered a breach of the rules. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) maintains a strict stance against communication devices in restricted areas to maintain the game’s integrity.
The two BCCI anti-corruption managers overseeing the match are expected to submit a report to the Head of the ACSU. If Romi Bhinder is found to have violated the PMOA standards, he could face penalties ranging from fines to a temporary suspension. This incident comes at a crucial time for the Rajasthan Royals, who have been performing exceptionally well on the field and are currently at the top of the points table with four consecutive wins.
Led by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s outstanding batting form, the Royals will face SunRisers Hyderabad in their upcoming match on Monday, April 13. The team will aim to maintain their momentum despite the off-field distraction.