IPL 2026: RR manager Romi Bhinder was Using Phone for Medical Reasons? Report Reveals Health Scare

Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder has found himself under the radar after a recent incident during an IPL 2026 match.

Romi Bhinder, a long-serving Rajasthan Royals (RR) team manager since IPL's 2008 inception, was caught on camera using his mobile phone in the team dugout during RR's match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati on April 10, 2026.

The incident occurred in the 11th over of RR's chase, with 15-year-old player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whom Bhinder serves as local guardian, seen peeking at the screen.

After the image surfaced on social media, the uproar has been enough for BCCI to intervene. This violated the IPL's strict Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol, which bans mobile phones in the dugout to uphold anti-corruption measures. Devices are allowed only in the dressing room.

Footage went viral on social media, prompting BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to launch an investigation and serve Bhinder a show-cause notice, demanding a response within 48 hours. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also confirmed a probe to look into the matter.

Why was Romi Bhinder using a Phone?

Since the incident, RR have cited a medical emergency. As per reports, Bhinder had previously suffered a collapsed lung condition requiring hospitalisation and ventilator support, possibly explaining why he carried the phone for doctor contact.

He was admitted to a Nagpur hospital for a month and was also on ventilator support, and reportedly recently lost 10 kg of body weight.

"Both of his lungs had collapsed and that medical emergency meant he spent nearly a month in a Nagpur hospital," a source was quoted as saying by Insidesport.

"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," it added.

Amid the issue, it is to be seen if the RR manager is allowed in the players' dugout area on Monday as Rajasthan Royals play Sunrisers Hyderabad.