Romi Bhinder, the longtime team manager of the Rajasthan Royals, has been embroiled in controversy as TV cameras saw him using a cell phone in the team’s dugout during the IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
A social media influencer initially posted about the incident on Instagram, but it has been confirmed that Bhinder was actually using a cell phone as teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was seated next to him during the Royals’ six-wicket victory in Guwahati on Friday.
“Yes, Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) as cell phones are banned in the dugout during match,” PTI quoted a BCCI official as saying.
The relevant PMOA protocol 2026 clause on the IPL’s official website reads, “The Team Manager may use a phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout.”
People in the know believe that Bhinder, who has been involved with the franchise since its inception, should have been well-versed in the anti-corruption procedures.
“It could be inadvertent, but there has to be some action since it amounts to breach. Whether it will be warning or match ban will depend on the match referee and ACU report. Based on that the IPL GC can take a call,” the senior official said.
Given that Sooryavanshi called Bhinder his “local guardian” during the post-match presentation, Bhinder may come under more scrutiny.
