An incident during IPL 2026 has sparked controversy, involving Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder. In a viral video, he was seen using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match played against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Guwahati, after which the matter escalated.
Following the appearance of this video, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has taken a tough stance and issued a notice to Romi Bhinder. The board has sent him a show-cause notice, asking him to respond to the matter within 48 hours.
It is reported that according to BCCI rules, team managers are permitted to use mobile phones, but they can only be used within the dressing room. According to reports, Romi Bhinder was seen using the phone in the dugout area, which is being considered a violation of the rules.
However, a technical aspect has also emerged in this case, according to which he was seen sitting near the fridge at the edge of the dugout, which is considered very close to the players’ area. Due to this, it has not yet become clear.
A new aspect has also come to light in this case related to Romi Bhinder, in which he is being accused of personal use of the mobile phone. According to the rules, the team manager or other support staff can use laptops, mobiles, or any other digital devices only for administrative and logistical tasks related to the team. If these devices are used for personal work, it is considered a violation of rules and there is a provision for action against it.
Meanwhile, information has also surfaced that Romi Bhinder has recently recovered from a serious lung disease. According to reports, his health was not yet completely normal, due to which he was not in a condition to go to the dressing room or remain continuously present with the team in a normal manner. It is being said that he had already provided his medical status and health-related information to the BCCI before the start of the IPL season.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI had allowed team officials and staff to use mobile devices in certain limited circumstances. The objective was to ensure that necessary information, updates, and coordination among teams, especially through mediums like WhatsApp, could reach them without delay.
Currently, everyone’s eyes are on what explanation Romi Bhinder provides in his reply and what final decision the BCCI takes after investigating this matter.
