Rajasthan Royals Spark Controversy After Phone Spotted in Dugout During IPL Match, Fans Demand Answers

Strict IPL regulations confine technical analysts to a designated dugout area, permitting only laptop and tablet use during the match.

Rajasthan Royals Spark Controversy After Phone Spotted in Dugout During IPL Match, Fans Demand Answers

A Rajasthan Royals staff member was seen using a mobile phone in the dugout during an IPL game. (via X)

In Short
  • Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was seen using a mobile phone in the dugout during an IPL match, violating league rules.
  • The incident has sparked outrage among fans, with calls for immediate action against Bhinder for the breach.
  • The BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is reviewing the situation, which could lead to penalties for the team manager.

A controversial social media clip has prompted criticism from fans after a Rajasthan Royals team official was spotted using a phone in the dugout during their IPL match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The official was notably sitting right next to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Having won all four of their matches so far, the Royals have gotten off to a dominant start in their 2026 IPL campaign.

Against RCB, the Riyan Parag-led side cruised to a comfortable six-wicket victory after chasing down a 202-run target in just 18 overs.

Dhruv Jurel top-scored with an 81-run knock off 43 balls, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a blistering 78 runs off 26 balls to secure the POTM award.

While RR showed off their batting might, the conversation seems to have shifted to a controversy that occurred during the match. Shortly after Sooryavanshi’s dismissal in the 9th over, he was sat with team manager Romi Bhinder. Cameras captured Bhinder using a mobile phone while seated in the dugout, and he even appeared to type something on his phone, while the 15-year-old glanced at the screen from the side.

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi was among the first to call it out, labeling the incident as a ‘complete no-no’. He even urged immediate action, calling it a blatant violation of the BCCI’s Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocols. While certain PMOA rules permit team managers and staff to use mobile phones for logistics in the dressing room, they are strictly prohibited from doing so in the dugout or on the field of play.

All team players and support staff members are required to turn off their phones and smartwatches upon arrival at the stadium and hand them over to the Security Liaison Officer. The ban is a part of an effort by the ICC and BCCI to maintain the integrity of the sport, given that phones are a tool for communication with the outside world. Implementing this ban eliminates all chances of ‘spot-fixing’, while also mitigating the presence of external distractions.

Romi Bhinder’s actions are reportedly being reviewed by the match referee and the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). While the PMOA rules do not specify the punishment, the RR manager could be barred or forced to pay a severe financial penalty. 

IPL phone controversy: Fans outraged as Rajasthan Royals official violates dugout rules

Rajasthan Royals’ team manager Romi Bhinder finds himself in the middle of a controversy after he was seen using a mobile phone in the team’s dugout during an IPL game. For the franchise that has endured a stellar run, this distraction was the last thing they needed. 

RR manager criticized for using mobile in IPL
Rajasthan Royals’ team manager Romi Bhinder has been criticized by IPL fans. (via X)

Bhinder was seen using his mobile phone in the dugout, where he was seated alongside young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The peg of this controversy rests on the location where the phone was used, given that the RR manager had to limit it to the dressing room. Bhinder’s actions have now drawn a flurry of negative responses from cricket fans around the country, with many calling for his immediate suspension.

Fans took to social media to share their reactions, with many of them suggesting that RR has opted to ‘fix’ matches once again. A few others, upon learning of the phone controversy, were reminded of how the Jaipur-based franchise was banned from the IPL a decade ago. Some of them, however, made fun of the situation, exclaiming that the RR staff was only using the phone to calculate Sooryavanshi’s strike-rate.

Moreover, this incident contributes to the ongoing criticism the franchise has faced, largely due to moving its early home games to Guwahati. Although the Royals represent Jaipur, they have played an increasing number of their matches at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.

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