Nearly two days have passed since Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was spotted using a mobile phone from inside the dugout, an incident flagged as a breach of the “PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) Protocol – 2026.” Despite the seriousness of the allegation, the BCCI has not issued any action yet, and officials say the next step is still an internal review.
Quick facts
- Romi Bhinder, a Rajasthan Royals manager, was seen using a mobile phone in the dugout.
- The BCCI says it will “examine the matter” before drawing any conclusion.
- The issue has not yet been tabled before the IPL Governing Council (GC).
- Lalit Modi called for “immediate action” and questioned the Anti Corruption Unit’s role.
- A match referee report will determine whether the incident is formally recorded.
- Sanctions could range from a fine to a match ban, depending on the match referee and ACU.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board will look closely at the circumstances, including exactly where the event occurred and whether the phone was actually being used. He also pointed out that certain individuals are permitted to carry phones in the dugout, adding that Bhinder, in his role as manager, can carry one—while stressing that the key questions are about location and usage.
Saikia’s position was that the BCCI cannot respond to claims without verifying details. He indicated the review will consider available evidence such as pictures and video footage before any “logical conclusion” is reached.
Why the incident is under scrutiny
The PMOA code is explicit about restrictions in the dugout, which is defined as part of the PMOA area where phone use is not allowed. When asked about the contradiction between the code and what was seen, Saikia reiterated that the board would examine the relevant material rather than act purely on what has been reported.
As the investigation window opens, attention has also turned to what was visible on the broadcast. During the chase involving Bhinder’s side, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was seen looking at the phone screen, a moment captured live by television cameras and quickly turning into a talking point across the league.
The incident has yet to make its way to the IPL Governing Council table, meaning there is no immediate franchise-level verdict or league-level statement. With Rajasthan Royals set to play an away fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, the immediate question is whether Bhinder will be allowed to sit in the dugout again for that match.
The situation has been further intensified by public pressure from former IPL chairperson Lalit Modi. He urged the GC to take “immediate action,” and in posts he questioned whether the Anti Corruption Unit was involved when Bhinder appeared to use the phone during the match.
Modi’s message was blunt: having a mobile phone inside the dugout is “completely a no-no.” He also repeated that the apparent lapse raised concerns about where the Anti Corruption Unit stood in the process, demanding clarity and prompt action if the incident indeed occurred as shown.
Under routine procedures, the match referee submits a comprehensive report after the game. It remains to be seen whether the Bhinder incident is mentioned in that documentation. In the RR vs RCB match held in Guwahati, Vengalil Narayanan Kutty served as the match referee, and two anti-corruption officers were present to monitor the proceedings.
With Rajasthan Royals scheduled to return to action within a day, the BCCI is expected to move quickly to establish what happened in the dugout and what role—if any—was played beyond Bhinder’s actions. The BCCI Anti-Corruption Code, effective from March 18, 2019, is also stated to apply to team officials, widening the scope of scrutiny.
One key point being emphasized in the review is that while a manager may be allowed to carry a phone, using it in the dugout is strictly prohibited, especially when multiple cameras track activity throughout the match. Because the act was broadcast live, it has triggered broader questions about compliance and oversight.
Potential consequences are also tied to the findings of the match referee and the ACU wing. Depending on the outcome, the punishment could extend from a fine to a match ban or other measures as considered appropriate under the relevant protocols.
For now, the BCCI appears to be working within a tight timeline, with only a few hours remaining to determine next steps. The league will be watching closely to see whether Bhinder’s access to the PMOA area for the upcoming away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad is allowed, restricted, or revoked pending the investigation.
