The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has launched a formal investigation into Rajasthan Royals (RR) team manager Romi Bhinder after he was spotted using a mobile phone in the dugout during their IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati.
The incident, captured live at the ACA Stadium, showed Bhinder seated next to teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with both appearing to look at a device. The footage quickly went viral, raising concerns over a potential breach of the league’s anti-corruption protocols.
Amid the controversy, IPL founder Lalit Modi reiterated that the integrity of the sport must remain non-negotiable and called for stricter enforcement of anti-corruption measures.
“From the very beginning, the IPL was built on one non-negotiable principle—integrity of the game. We created a controlled environment with restricted access, monitored communication, and tight operational discipline. The idea was simple: eliminate opportunity, not just punish misconduct,” Modi said.
He further warned that while structures like the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) remain in place, the intensity of enforcement has diluted over time, shifting the system from control to mere compliance.
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Under IPL’s Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) regulations, team managers are permitted to carry mobile phones only within the dressing room, with their use in the dugout strictly prohibited.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the ACU has begun reviewing the matter.
“We need to examine where exactly the device was used and whether due permission was taken. The ACU is currently verifying if any protocol has been breached,” Saikia said.
As part of the probe, officials are expected to analyse the phone’s activity during the match and may question those involved to determine whether any unauthorised communication took place.
If no wrongdoing is established, Bhinder could face a warning or minor fine. However, any confirmed breach could invite stricter disciplinary action.
With RR set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad next, attention will also be on whether Bhinder is present in the PMOA area.
Bhinder has been associated with the franchise since 2008 and remains a key member of the Royals’ support staff, also serving as a ‘local guardian’ for Sooryavanshi during the tournament.