Romi Bhinder’s phone dugout footage first surfaced on social media right after the Rajasthan Royals’ six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati on Friday night. Cameras caught the veteran RR manager scrolling on his mobile in the dugout during the 11th over of the chase, with 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sitting right beside him and glancing at the screen.
It was an instant talking point across cricket circles. Phones are strictly banned in the players’ and match officials’ area (PMOA) under IPL 2026 rules. Managers can keep one in the dressing room, but not use it in the dugout. The reason is simple: anti-corruption protocols to stop any outside chatter during play.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the breach and said the board is reviewing footage and running an internal check. A show-cause notice has already gone to Bhinder, with the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) now involved. Possible outcomes range from a warning to a match ban, depending on what the match referee and IPL Governing Council decide.
Fresh reports reveal Bhinder wasn’t scrolling for fun or strategy; he had his phone as a precaution after a terrifying health scare. Both his lungs had collapsed earlier, landing him in a Nagpur hospital for nearly a month. He spent a week on a ventilator and more time in the ICU. Sources close to the team say he carried the device in case of another emergency, especially since he couldn’t easily step away to the dressing room while on duty. Rajasthan Royals have called it a medical necessity and promised to handle the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
For context, Romi Bhinder isn’t some new face. He’s been part of the Rajasthan Royals setup since the very first IPL season in 2008, wearing multiple hats in the backroom. He’s also Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s local guardian during the tournament, which explains why the teenager was right next to him.
Read more – Jemimah Rodrigues’ Redemption: From Silence to Roar in India’s Historic World Cup Chase
The reaction has been mixed, as you’d expect in cricket circles. Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi quickly flagged the breach on social media and called for swift action to protect the game’s integrity. Fans, meanwhile, are split – some see it as a clear lapse, others point out that life doesn’t pause just because you’re in the dugout. Health emergencies don’t pick convenient moments, and Bhinder’s long service to the franchise adds another layer.
At the end of the day, IPL rules exist for good reason: they keep matches fair and corruption-free. Yet this episode also reminds everyone that the people behind the scenes, the managers, support staff, and guardians, are human too. The BCCI’s investigation will run its course, and whatever decision comes out will set the tone for how health versus protocol is handled going forward. For now, Rajasthan Royals stay focused on their unbeaten run, while Bhinder waits for clarity on his notice. Cricket, as always, is about more than just the scoreboard.
