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RR Manager Fined ₹1 Lakh for Mobile Phone Use in IPL Dugout

Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder has been fined ₹1 lakh and issued an official warning by the BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. The penalty was imposed for using a mobile phone in the dugout during the IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that Bhinder's explanation for the breach of PMOA protocols was found unsatisfactory. The BCCI hopes this action serves as a deterrent for all IPL stakeholders to strictly adhere to the tournament's rules.

Key Points: IPL 2026: RR Manager Fined for Dugout Phone Violation

  • BCCI ACSU issues fine
  • Violation of IPL PMOA protocols
  • Incident occurred in RR vs RCB match
  • First-time offender given warning
3 min read

IPL 2026: RR team manager fined Rs 1 lakh, warned over mobile phone use in dugout

Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder fined ₹1 lakh by BCCI's ACSU for using a mobile phone in the dugout during an IPL 2026 match.

"He can have a mobile in his hand but he cannot take it to the dugout area. - Devajit Saikia, BCCI Secretary"

New Delhi, April 17

Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder has been fined Rs 1 lakh and handed an official warning for using a mobile phone inside the dugout during the Indian Premier League 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on April 10.

The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the BCCI has issued a show-cause notice to Bhinder over the usage of a device during the match and sought his response within the next 48 hours.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) was not satisfied with Bhinder's explanation, leading to him being fined and being given a warning over the violation.

"This violation happened in the match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where our anti-corruption unit in Guwahati took note of the violation and issued him an explanation notice on April 12. He was given 48 hours to respond as Romi Bhinder was found or seen carrying his mobile to the dugout area.

"He can have a mobile in his hand but he cannot take it to the dugout area, so an explanation was sought and Romi Bhinder responded within the stipulated 48 hours. The anti-corruption unit examined his reply and found it to be not satisfactory.

"Therefore considering the fact that this is his first time he has done this violation of the IPL PMOA protocols, the anti-corruption unit decided to impose him a penalty of Rs 1 lakh and also issued a warning to him not to repeat this kind of breach or violation of the IPL PMOA protocols in future," said Saikia to IANS on Friday.

According to the PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) guidelines found on IPL's website, "The Team Manager may use a phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout."

Bhinder has been associated with RR since the league's inception in 2008 and also serves as a local guardian for Sooryavanshi, 15. He was even with the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants when RR was banned from participating in the competition in 2016 and 2017 seasons.

"On behalf of BCCI, I can just say and we hope that this should be a deterrent for all other stakeholders who are part of the IPL to strictly adhere to the spirit of rules and follow the IPL PMOA protocols," added Saikia.

RR, the IPL 2008 winners, are currently at the third position in the points table, and will take on three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
I understand the need for anti-corruption measures, but this seems a bit harsh for a first-time offense by someone who's been with RR since 2008. A warning should have been enough. The spirit of the rule is to prevent match-fixing, not to punish someone for a minor slip.
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Ananya R
Good! The BCCI needs to be strict about this. The integrity of the game is paramount. In a country where cricket is like a religion, we can't have any doubts about the fairness of the IPL. This is a good deterrent.
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Rohit P
Bhinder bhai, you should know better after all these years! The dugout is a sensitive area. Maybe he just forgot it in his pocket? But still, rules are there for a reason. Hope RR's focus isn't affected before the big KKR match!
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Karthik V
Rs 1 lakh is peanuts for an IPL team. The real penalty is the official warning and the embarrassment. The article says he's a local guardian for a young player too—sets a bad example. He needs to be more careful.
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Priya S
Honestly, in this day and age, being completely disconnected is tough. But if the rule exists to prevent corruption, it must be followed 100%. No excuses. The ACSU is just doing its job. Better safe than sorry when it comes to our cricket's reputation.

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