New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) A new detail has emerged in the controversy after Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder spotted using a mobile phone in the dugout during an IPL match, with reports claiming Bhinder was using the phone as a precautionary measure due to medical issues.

During the IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati, the incident captured live by TV cameras at the ACA Stadium showed Bhinder using a device while seated next to teenaged left-handed opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was looking at the screen. The footage then went viral and raised questions regarding the breach of the league’s strict anti-corruption protocols.

According to the IPL’s Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA), a team manager may use a phone in the dressing room area but ‘NOT’ in the dugout. The BCCI has initiated a formal investigation into matter.

As per The New Indian Express report, Bhinder was carrying the phone as a precautionary measure because both his lungs had collapsed in the past, and he was on a ventilator for nearly a week before being shifted to the ICU where he spent around three weeks.

The report further quoted a source, saying, “Romi knows the rules and regulations, but that phone was in his possession due to medical reasons. Besides, possessing a mobile phone and a laptop in the dugout is allowed as per the protocol. The only problem was the usage, but again, he was not making calls or receiving any of them. He was just scrolling his phone. He has time and he will try to explain his point of view to the ACSU officials.”

“We are hopeful that the ACSU officials will keep Romi’s medical conditions in mind before arriving at a conclusion. The problem was he had to walk at least 50 steps before climbing around 20 steps to reach the dressing room and do the same to return to the dugout. That must have forced him to check the phone at the dugout itself,” it added.

As per the tournament rules, two BCCI Anti-Corruption Managers, appointed by the Head of the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), are responsible for the management of the PMOA. Their responsibility is to ensure that proper arrangements are in place and that security personnel are fully briefed.

With RR set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, it remains to be seen if Bhinder is spotted in the PMOA area or not. Bhinder has been an integral member of RR’s backroom staff since 2008 and also serves as Sooryavanshi’s ‘local guardian’ in the IPL.

–IANS

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