Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Romi Bhinder Rajeev Shukla. Image Credits: Screengrab/AFP
The inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, have been in a supreme form in the early days of IPL 2026, as they entered a new era under Riyan Parag and Kumar Sangakkara. Having played four matches, they are yet to drop any points and are table toppers with a +2.055 net run rate.
A big part of their high-flying start to the season has been Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's red-hot form at the top. Four matches in, as he torments the opposition, he is the orange cap holder with 200 runs at a strike rate of 266.66.
However, for the first time in his short career, the player, alongside team manager Romi Bhinder, found themselves in trouble after they were seen using a mobile phone during the RR vs RCB clash in Guwahati. Weighing on the issue, the BCCI has decided to pull the plug and prevent any further misconduct in the league.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi storm vs RCB dented with protocol breach
The incident happened on the 11th over of RR's 202-run chase on Friday night when the Royals needed 62 off 55 after a swashbuckling 78(26) for Sooryavanshi, scoring 8 fours and 7 sixes.
As Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja's composed partnership took RR towards their fourth win, team manager Romi Bhinder was seen sitting alongside the 15-year-old after the latter's knock. Bhinder casually pulled out his phone from the pocket, and the left-handed batter was also seen peeking into the screen for a bit.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not involved in any form of use, and it is considered a breach on Romi Bhinder's end for using the device while the match was still in progress.
While RR went on to win the match by 6 wickets, the incident was caught by a social media influencer on TV, and the clip spread like wildfire in a day, forcing BCCI to swiftly act on it.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Sends Special Message To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In IPL 2026
BCCI reacts to Romi Bhinder's anti-corruption protocol breach
Considering the strict rules against the use of any electronic communication device during the game, the act is considered a breach of the anti-corruption protocols. Speaking on the avoidable act caught on live broadcast, a BCCI official promised to look into it and asked the match referee to take appropriate action.
"Yes, Romi Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA), as cell phones are banned in the dugout during a match," the official confirmed, as per PTI.
"It could be inadvertent, but there has to be some action since it amounts to a breach. Whether it will be a warning or a match ban will depend on the match referee and the ACU report. Based on that, the IPL GC can take a call," the official added.
Will BCCI punish Rajasthan Royals team manager for using a mobile phone?
Romi Bhinder, who is often seen with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in IPL 2026, is RR's team manager, and as per the IPL's official clause, a team manager is allowed to use mobile phones in the dressing room.
Nonetheless, the dugout is a high-security area for the players and match officials, where phones are strictly prohibited to avoid any external influence on the matches. Hence, there will be some action on Romi Bhinder, which could be anything from an official warning, a fine or suspension from the dugout.
It is now up to Narayanan Kutty, the match referee of RR vs RCB match, to take any further call on the issue and punish Bhinder.
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