BCCI Launches Investigation After Rajasthan Royals Manager Romi Bhinder Uses Mobile Phone in IPL Dugout

The BCCI is investigating Romi Bhinder for a protocol breach during the RR vs RCB match. See how the IPL dugout phone ban impacts the Rajasthan Royals.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 12, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ESPNcricinfo

A Protocol Breach Under the Camera Lens

The integrity protocols of the Indian Premier League are facing a fresh test after Romi Bhinder, a long-serving figure in the Rajasthan Royals backroom staff, was identified using a mobile device in the team dugout. The incident occurred during Friday's fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati, where television cameras captured Bhinder engaging with a phone while seated next to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While the Royals secured a six-wicket victory on the field, the off-field distraction has prompted immediate scrutiny from league officials regarding the sanctity of the high-security match zones.

Formal Inquiries and Evidentiary Reviews

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the governing body will not rush to judgment but is actively reviewing video footage to establish the sequence of events. According to Saikia, the board is tasked with gathering concrete evidence to determine the exact location of the occurrence and the extent of the phone usage. This internal examination is designed to reach what Saikia describes as a logical conclusion, ensuring that any disciplinary response is proportionate to the findings of the investigation.

Strict Mandates of the Match Officials Area

The core of the controversy lies in the 2026 PMOA protocol, which sets clear boundaries for communication technology within the stadium. While a team manager is permitted to utilize a mobile phone within the privacy of the dressing room, the regulations explicitly state that such devices are banned once a staff member enters the dugout. An official from the BCCI noted that while the act might have been inadvertent, it nonetheless constitutes a technical breach of the established protocols designed to prevent unauthorized external communication during active play.