Rajasthan Royals (RR) manager Romi Bhinder has been under the scrutiny for using his mobile phone in team's dugout during the IPL 2026 game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 11. The video of RR opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi peeking into his phone has gone viral on social media and invited criticism. As an investigation has been launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) for breach of Players and Match Officials Area protocol, a new piece of information has come to light. RR manager who is well aware of the rule was using his phone as he had a medical emergency nearly a week ago.
As per a report by The New Indian Express, a source close to the developments has claimed that Bhinder's lungs had collapsed in the past and he was on ventilator nearly a week before. He was later shifted to the ICU where he recovered for nearly three weeks.
"Both of his lungs had collapsed and that medical emergency meant he spent nearly a month in a Nagpur hospital," a source told the English daily.
Bhinder has already been served a notice by the ACSU and explain his actions within 48 hours.
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While the team manager is allowed to carry his phone to dugout, it cannot be used until and unless there is a medical emergency. However, a phone call can be made from the dressing room only.
Bhinder didn’t go to the dressing room due to asthma?
Another source said that Bhinder understands the protocols but he did not make any calls or received them during the game.
"Romi has lost more than 10 kilos due to medical issues. He has asthma as well because of which he is advised not to walk a long distance or climb stairs frequently. He is with the team and performed various roles for the franchise. Hence he knows the rules and regulations but that phone was in his possession due to medical reasons. Besides, possessing a mobile phone and a laptop in the dugout is allowed as per the protocol. The only problem was the usage but again he was not making calls or receiving any of them. He was just scrolling his phone. He has time and he will try to explain his point of view to the ACSU officials," added another source.
The source hopes that Romi’s medical condition will be taken in account before taking any decision as he couldn’t go to the dressing room due to his asthma issues.
"We are hopeful that the ACSU officials will keep Romi's medical conditions in mind before arriving at a conclusion. The problem was he had to walk at least 50 steps before climbing around 20 steps to reach the dressing room and do the same to return to the dugout. That must have forced him to check the phone at the dugout itself," the source further added.
RR's next game is against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 13. It is yet to be seen whether the team manager will be seen in RR’s dugout.