Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder has been fined nominally by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) after he was seen using a mobile phone inside the dugout during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The incident created headlines after Bhinder, a long-serving member of the franchise since the inception of the Indian Premier League, was spotted using his phone during live action. The matter drew additional attention as young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi was also seen near him, briefly looking at the screen.
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Following this, the BCCI issued a show-cause notice to Bhinder, seeking clarification on whether any match-day protocols had been breached. After an internal review, authorities concluded the matter by clearing him of major violations, though a nominal fine and warning were still imposed.
BCCI closes case with warning and fine for RR manager
As reported by Cricbuzz, the ACSU has communicated its final decision to Bhinder, stating that no serious disciplinary action will be taken beyond a nominal penalty. The report also confirmed that there has been no official update regarding Suryavanshi’s involvement in the matter.
IPL’s PMOA rules clearly allow support staff, including team managers, to carry mobile phones inside stadium premises. However, these devices are strictly prohibited from being used during match play to ensure no breach of conduct or communication regulations occurs.
The incident occurred during the 11th over of RR’s chase. Bhinder was seen sitting in the dugout and scrolling through his phone, while Suryavanshi, seated next to him, appeared to glance at the screen. This moment quickly became a talking point among fans and officials.
After concerns were raised, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that a probe had been initiated to examine possible violations. However, later reports suggested that Bhinder’s actions may have been linked to a serious medical emergency.
Sources revealed that Bhinder had suffered major health issues in the past. “Both of his lungs had collapsed, and he had to spend nearly a month in a Nagpur hospital,” a source said.
The same source added, “He has lost over 10 kilos due to medical complications and also suffers from asthma. He has been advised to avoid physical strain such as long walks or climbing stairs. Despite that, he continues to work actively with the franchise and understands the regulations well, but the phone was with him due to medical necessity.”
