IPL Fines Rajasthan Royals Manager 1 Lakh for Dugout Phone Use

The Indian Premier League fined Rajasthan Royals team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder, known as Romi Bhinder, 1 lakh rupees on Friday for using a mobile phone in the team's dugout during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this month.

The violation occurred on April 10, 2026, during Match 16 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati. Bhinder was spotted with the device while seated in the dugout, breaching Article 4.1.1 of the Board of Control for Cricket in India IPL Players and Match Officials Area protocols. These rules allow team managers to use phones in the dressing room under exceptional circumstances but strictly prohibit their use in the dugout to maintain the integrity of the playing area.

Images of the incident, showing 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi glancing at the phone screen while seated nearby, circulated widely on social media. The Board of Control for Cricket in India Anti-Corruption and Security Unit investigated the matter, issuing Bhinder a show-cause notice on April 12 and requiring a response within 48 hours. Officials deemed his explanation unsatisfactory, leading to the penalty.