Rajasthan Royals (RR) youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has escaped punishment for his involvement in team manager Romi Bhinder’s anti-corruption breach for using a mobile phone in the team dugout during
a live IPL 2026 match. The BCCI felt that Sooryavanshi was innocent of any wrongdoing and only needed a better explanation of the league’s rules, which could be done by the RR management.
While team managers can use a phone for emergencies in the dressing room, it’s not allowed in the dug-out. Bhinder was caught in the act during a match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Sooryavanshi was seen sitting beside him, taking a peek at the screen.
According to the Times of India, the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), after an investigation, did not find anything worthy of serious punishment and let him off with a fine and a warning. The report said the investigators were convinced his medical condition necessitated its use.
“There was no discussion about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is a kid and maybe the franchise can explain the rules better to him. No point intimidating a youngster,” the report quoted a BCCI official as saying.
It would come as a relief for Bhinder and the Royals. The franchise has dealt with match-fixing allegations and some convictions throughout its history, and even an innocent mistake — particularly using a mobile phone during a live match, which is vulnerable to approaches from bookies — could be costly.
The BCCI has been careful in protecting Sooryavanshi so far and this seems like an extension for the same.
Sooryavanshi’s record so far in IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, 15-year-old prodigy Sooryavanshi has amassed 200 runs in five matches at a staggering 263.16 strike rate. Averaging 40 with 18 fours and as many sixes, the explosive top-order batter’s standout performances feature two record-breaking 15-ball half-centuries against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with the latter ending in a match-winning 78 off 26 balls..
