The Board of Control for Cricket in India has issued a show-cause notice to Romi Bhinder, the team manager of Rajasthan Royals, over an alleged breach involving the use of a mobile phone during their IPL fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati. The communication device was reportedly used in the match dugout area, and the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has asked Bhinder to submit a response within 48 hours.
As per the notice, the concern centres on Bhinder’s use of a handset from the dugout. While team managers are allowed to carry a mobile device, the permission is restricted to use inside the dressing room. In this case, he was seen operating the phone while seated outside the dressing-room area, according to the observations being examined.
There is, however, a technical angle to the situation. Bhinder was seated directly in front of a refrigerator positioned near the side of the players’ boundary enclosure, which has raised questions over whether his location should be treated as being within the dugout boundary or outside it for the purpose of the rules.
The BCCI guidelines state that each team manager may carry a mobile device inside the PMOA, on the condition that the handset is used either (a) by the manager strictly for cricket-related operations, and/or (b) by a player or player support staff for an important personal matter, provided the manager has given express permission before the device is used. Separate PMOA rules further clarify that a team security manager and a match officials’ security manager may also carry a mobile device into the PMOA, but it must remain on silent mode at all times while they are within the PMOA. Such devices are not to be used inside or outside the PMOA at the venue for any purpose, except in the event of a security emergency.
Another clause also addresses laptops and similar communication tools. It says each team manager is allowed to carry and use a laptop computer (or an equivalent communication device) within the PMOA, including for internet access, but only if it is used exclusively by the manager and only for cricket operations purposes of a logistical or administrative nature connected to the match or upcoming IPL fixtures. The guidance further adds that if a team manager uses a laptop or similar communication device for purposes other than cricket operations of a logistical or administrative nature—for instance, for personal use—then it will be treated as an automatic breach of Article 4.2.5.
Bhinder, who has recently recovered from a near-fatal lung condition, is understood to be within the framework to use the phone if it can be shown that the device was being used for cricket operations. The argument being discussed is that he reportedly was not medically able to return to the dressing room during the relevant period. It is also understood that he had informed the BCCI about his medical status before the start of the season.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI expanded the communication permissions for team officials by allowing the use of two communication devices. Team management has since been communicating with franchise personnel through WhatsApp, and it is being argued that teams must stay alert to BCCI communications, which is one reason mobile phones were permitted in the first place.
Meanwhile, it is also understood that Rajasthan Royals have faced other Code of Conduct breaches in this period, though those were linked to dress code violations. A few other franchises are reported to have received notices for comparable rule infringements as well, but those cases are being treated as separate from the current matter involving Bhinder and the mobile-phone issue.
