BCCI Launches Investigation Into Romi Bhinder Phone Incident During IPL Match

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced it will thoroughly investigate an incident involving Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder, who was filmed using a mobile phone inside the team dugout during a recent IPL fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati.

The incident, which aired live on television, sparked immediate controversy given the strict protocols governing player and match official areas. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the governing body would examine the matter before reaching any conclusion.

Certain individuals are permitted to carry phones in the dugout, Saikia explained, but the usage of such devices during live play represents a clear violation of the PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) Protocol for 2026. We will review the footage, photographs, and any available evidence to establish exactly what occurred.

The matter has yet to reach the IPL Governing Council, leaving uncertain whether Bhinder will be cleared to participate in the Royals upcoming away fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The timing poses a significant challenge for the board, with only a matter of hours set to pass before that match begins.

IPL founding chairman Lalit Modi weighed in on the controversy, calling for immediate disciplinary action and questioning the role of anti-corruption officials who should have prevented such a breach. The use of a mobile phone in the dugout is completely unacceptable, and the governing council must act decisively, Modi stated across social media posts.

Sources familiar with the investigation indicated that any communication device connected to the incident should be seized and examined. Beyond that, players who were seated near Bhinder during the match may face questioning from authorities.

Penalties under the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code, which took effect in March 2019, could range from financial fines to match suspensions or more severe sanctions depending on the findings of the match referee who officiated the Guwahati encounter.

The BCCI faces mounting pressure to resolve the situation quickly while maintaining transparency in its investigative process. Whatever the outcome, the incident has highlighted how even seemingly minor protocol breaches can attract intense scrutiny in professional cricket's high-profile environment.