A new layer has emerged in the controversy surrounding Rajasthan Royals (RR) manager Romi Bhinder’s use of a mobile phone in the dugout, with a report claiming the device was kept as a precaution due to serious past medical issues.
The incident occurred during RR’s IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati, where TV cameras captured Bhinder using a phone while seated in the dugout alongside teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The visuals quickly went viral, triggering concerns over a potential breach of the league’s anti-corruption protocols.
As per IPL guidelines under the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA), team officials are permitted to carry phones in the dressing room but are strictly prohibited from using them in the dugout. Following the incident, the BCCI has initiated a formal investigation.
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However, according to a report by The New Indian Express, Bhinder’s possession of the phone was linked to a medical necessity. He had reportedly suffered a collapse of both lungs in the past, requiring ventilator support for nearly a week, followed by an extended stay in intensive care.
A source quoted in the report said that while Bhinder was aware of the rules, the phone was kept as a precautionary measure. It added that although carrying electronic devices is allowed under protocol, the issue stemmed from usage, even though he was not making or receiving calls and was only scrolling.
The report further highlighted logistical challenges, noting that Bhinder would have had to walk a considerable distance, including stairs, to access the dressing room, a factor that may have prompted him to check the device in the dugout itself.
The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), which oversees compliance in the PMOA through designated officials, is expected to take Bhinder’s medical history into account before arriving at a decision.
With Rajasthan Royals set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad next, it remains to be seen whether Bhinder will continue to be present in the dugout area as the investigation unfolds. A long-serving member of the franchise since 2008, he also acts as the ‘local guardian’ for Sooryavanshi during the tournament.