The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been hit by its first major off-field controversy, raising the dreaded “corruption” word once again. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly preparing to take stringent disciplinary action against a senior manager of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) following a breach of the league’s integrity protocols.
Rajasthan Royals’ long-time team manager Romi Bhinder was caught by TV cameras using a mobile phone in the team dugout during their IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). A BCCI official told PTI that he could even be banned for a match.
The nature of the breach
According to the details in the PTI piece, the manager in question allegedly bypassed the strict “Minimum Standard Minimum Security” (MSMS) protocols during the team’s recent stay in Guwahati.
“Yes, Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) as cell phones are banned in the dugout during match,” a BCCI official confirmed as quoted in the PTI piece. Because Bhinder has been with the team since the first year in 2008, he is expected to be well aware of the of the anti-corruption protocols.
As per information on the IPL’s official website- “The Team Manager may use a phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout.”
RR manager could be banned for a match
Meanwhile, it is also being learnt that the RR manager may either be left with a warning or may even face a match ban.
“It could be inadvertent but there has to be some action since it amounts to breach. Whether it will be warning or match ban will depend on match referee and ACU report. Based on that IPL GC can take a call,” the senior official said as per the same PTI piece.
RR’s next match is against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday (April 13).