NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder has been let off with just a fine and a warning for using a mobile phone in the dugout in IPL 2026. TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) communicated its decision to the franchise after thoroughly investigating Bhinder’s response to the show-cause notice.The investigators were convinced by Bhinder’s medical reasoning and how his current health condition forced him to keep and use the phone in the dugout. Regarding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the youngster seated next to Bhinder during the act, there was no discussion about him.
“The ACSU conducted the investigation, and a formal communication has been sent to the franchise. Bhinder received a fine and a warning for using his phone in the dugout; however, investigators were convinced his medical condition necessitated its use, so there were no severe consequences. There was no discussion about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is a kid and may be the franchise can explain the rules better to him. No point intimidating a youngster,” says a senior BCCI official.According to the PMOA Protocol, managers may use phones in the dressing room but not in the dugout. Here’s what the protocol says:PHONES
- Mobile Phones and other electronic communications equipment are not allowed to be used in the PMOA other than for a few members of the team.
- The Team Manager may use a phone in the Dressing Room area but NOT in the Dugout
While Bhinder clearly violated the protocol, the Indian cricket board and the ACSU wing were satisfied with the reasoning.Bhinder was spotted using a mobile phone in the team’s dugout during his team’s IPL 2026 game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati last week, violating the PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) protocol by doing so.
Poll
Should the rules regarding phone usage in the dugout be reconsidered?
The incident occurred during the 11th over of the RR chase when Bhinder was using his phone and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, sitting to his right, was peeping at his screen.Besides the team manager, the media manager is allowed to have a phone in the PMOA area, but usage is clearly defined in the protocol, which was published before IPL 2026 got underway
