Rajasthan Royals manager set to avoid BCCI’s wrath after issuing apology

1 hour ago 10

Rajasthan Royals manager, Romi Bhinder, is all set to get away with a fine or a warning after using a mobile phone in the players’ dugout. Considering his serious health condition, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to go lenient on Bhinder despite violating IPL’s Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol.

As per PMOA protocol, the team manager can use a mobile phone in the dressing room, but not in the dugout. However, during the second innings of the RR vs RCB, IPL 2026 match on April 10, Romi Bhinder was caught using a mobile phone, with Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi trying to take a peek.

As per a Cricbuzz report, even though the RR manager was guilty of violating PMOA protocol, he did not have malicious intent. However, the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) is investigating and will take the final call on whether Bhinder violated any anti-corruption code.

“He also appears to have serious health issues. The ACSU will take the final call, but on the face of it, this does not seem to be a major violation,” Cricbuzz quoted a BCCI source.

IPL 2026 PMOA-Mobile phone guidelines

Mobile Phones and other electronic communications equipment are not allowed to be used in the PMOA, other than for a few members of the team.

The Team Manager may use a phone in the Dressing Room area but NOT in the Dugout.
The Analyst may use his computer at the analyst table.
Player and support staff items i.e. phones, smart watches or any other communication devices should be
turned off and given to the team SLO for storage on arrival at the stadium.
Accredited staff i.e. dressing room attendant, IPL Match Manager, catering staff etc may not take
communication devices into the PMOA. Secure boxes will be available at every entrance to securely store
devices.

RR manager responds to BCCI’s showcause notice

Even though a former ACSU official confirmed to the New Indian Express that one mobile phone could be carried to the dugout, no phone calls are allowed. Bhinder was not caught making a phone call. Instead, he was caught using the phone. Following the incident, the BCCI issued a show-cause notice to the RR manager, asking him to respond within 48 hours.

“If anything is found to be negative, we will take action. Otherwise, having the mobile with him, there is no violation of any other regulations. That is my stand at the first stage. But we are trying to find out whether he is carrying the mobile in the designated area or beyond that. That we are trying to find out. The exercise has already started,” BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia told Hindustan Times Digital.

Bhinder responded to the show-cause notice within the stipulated time, apologising for the incident. He also submitted his medical records, which made it necessary for him to carry a mobile phone all the time. Bhinder had a serious health concern in the past. He had to spend three weeks in the ICU, including a week on a ventilator as both of his lungs collapsed.

The RR manager has played a crucial role in shaping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s career so far. The 15-year-old is considered one of the best players of future after making ripples in IPL.

The post Rajasthan Royals manager set to avoid BCCI’s wrath after issuing apology appeared first on Inside Sport India.

Read Entire Article