Romi Bhinder was caught using mobile on live TV. Credits - X/@sportstarweb
The inaugural champions, Rajasthan Royals (RR), faced a major controversy when team manager Romi Bhinder was caught using a mobile during the fixture vs RCB in Guwahati on April 10.
Speculations escalated over Bhinder's act, which violated the Players and Match Officials Areas (PMOA) Protocols set by the IPL and BCCI to prevent illicit communication or gambling in cricket. However, the IPL committee let the RR official go by imposing only a fine of INR 1 lakh.
"As this was his (Romi Bhinder) first breach under the prescribed protocols, a fine of INR 1 Lakh has been imposed in accordance with Article 7.42 (a) of the BCCI IPL PMOA Protocols. He has also been warned to exercise greater care in the future and to adhere strictly to the established guidelines," the IPL stated in a press release on Friday.
As reported earlier, the BCCI has given just a warning to the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was sitting next to Bhinder while the team manager was using his device.
Lalit Modi Targets IPL After Romi Bhinder Sanctions
A day after the Indian board imposed sanctions on Romi Bhinder, former IPL chairman and league founder, Lalit Modi expressed disappointment with the decision. While tweeting on the same, the 62-year-old businessman demanded a ban on the RR team manager.
Furthermore, Modi questioned the current regime heading the BCCI and the Indian lucrative league, calling them "not ready" to be a "zero tolerance administration".
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"Why fine only. Should be banned - zero tolerance is the only mantra. This shows BCCI and IPL governing council not ready to be zero tolerance administration. They are always protecting someone or something. Shut him down guys. Only way to get a message to one and all," Lalit Modi tweeted after BCCI's verdict on the Romi Bhinder mobile case.
Why was Romi Bhinder using mobile on live TV?
Reportedly, Romi Bhinder was hospitalised ahead of the IPL 2026 due to a lung condition. As per Sports Tak, he had told the BCCI that he was using a mobile to be in touch with his doctor during the RR vs RCB game, after the board had sent him a show-cause notice.
According to the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) rules, no player can use any electronic device during any IPL, international or domestic game. However, a team manager is permitted to use a mobile, but only in the team's dressing room, not the dug-out.
Bhinder was caught using his device while sitting in the dugout, with Vaibhav Sooryvanshi looking at it.
RR gets ample break amid Romi Bhinder row
Nevertheless, the Riyan Parag-led Rajasthan Royals have started the IPL 2026 on a strong note. They begin it by beating Chennai, Gujarat, Mumbai and Bengaluru, before losing to SRH when Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain came out of the syllabus for the inaugural champions.
The opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryvanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal is their biggest strength, as they are playing a breathtaking brand of cricket against top bowling sides. RR has arguably the best bowling unit this season, with all bases covered for each phase of an innings.
It would be interesting to see how the Royals cope with the series of drama and a hard defeat to Hyderabad. Nevertheless, RR will next be in action against the bottom-dwellers KKR at Eden Gardens on Sunday afternoon after a five-day break.
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