Seems like Romi Bhinder could use a reminder straight out of every Indian household: “Put that phone away.”
Rajasthan Royals may have been hogging IPL 2026 headlines with their explosive batting. But Friday night’s clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati shifted the spotlight.
Cameras zoomed in on Bhinder using a mobile phone in the dugout during the 11th over of RR’s chase.
Sitting beside him was teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was even seen glancing at the screen.
MOBILE PHONE IN RR DUGOUT !🤯
– Even though mobile phones are not allowed during matches in the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals were seen breaking the rule and using a mobile phone during the match.pic.twitter.com/f1xzva1smX
— Venukumar (@venukumar4)
April 11, 2026
The clip, captured shortly after Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, quickly went viral, with fans flagging a potential breach of IPL protocol.
IPL Protocols on Mobile Phone Usage
The IPL’s Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules are clear and strict.
While certain personnel, including the team manager, are permitted to use mobile phones, there is a big caveat: usage is allowed only in the dressing room, not in the dugout.
“The Team Manager may use a phone in the Dressing Room area but NOT in the Dugout.”
For players and most support staff, the rules are even tighter:
Devices must be switched off and handed over upon arrival, and only the designated analyst can use a computer at a specific station for match-related data.
Bhinder’s actions, therefore, appear to cross into restricted territory, particularly given the dugout’s visibility during live play.
What Happens Next?
The incident is now expected to be reviewed by the match referee and the International Cricket Council-linked Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
While the rulebook does not explicitly outline penalties for such a breach, consequences could range from a financial fine to stricter sanctions, including a potential suspension from match-day duties.
Had the phone been used inside the dressing room, this likely wouldn’t be a story. But in the dugout, under the glare of cameras? That’s a whole different ball game altogether.
