Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder spotted on camera using cell phone in team dugout

Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder has stirred the hornet's nest after he was spotted using a mobile phone in the team dugout during the course of their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on April 10. Bhinder has held several exalted positions in Royals' backroom staff.

The pictures of the incident have since gone viral across several social media platforms, confirming that Bhinder was using a cell phone. The concerned clause pertaining to PMOA (Players and Match Officials Areas) protocol 2026 states, "The team manager may use a phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout."

"Yes, Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of the players' and match officials' area (PMOA) as cell phones are banned in the dugout during match," a BCCI official said as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

"It could be inadvertent but there has to be some action since it amounts to breach," the BCCI official said. "Whether it will be warning or match ban will depend on match referee and ACU [anti-corruption unit] report. Based on that IPL governing council can take a call."

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are only two of the remaining teams who are yet to concede a game this IPL season. Royals are at the top of the ladder with eight points in four games and a net run rate (NRR) of 2.055. They are now scheduled to play Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 13.

RR openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in the race to grab hold of the Orange Cap. 

Sooryavanshi is currently holding the Orange Cap with 200 runs in four games at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 266.66, including two fifties, whereas Jaiswal is only 17 behind.

Jaiswal averages 91.50 this season at a strike rate of 163.39 and also has two fifties to his credit. However, Jaiswal is third on the ladder with Heinrich Klaasen (184) of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) separating Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi.

Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi is also in the race to win the Purple Cap as he has snared nine scalps already and is just one behind table-topper Prasidh Krishna of Gujarat Titans.