BCCI slams RR managerr: Explain phone use in dugout within 48 hours

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Violating rules during an IPL match has cost Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder dearly. The incident of using a mobile phone while sitting in the dugout during a match has become quite controversial, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take a tough stand and take a major step. The board's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has directly issued a notice to Bhinder, demanding an explanation for the incident.

A video of him looking at his phone during a live match went viral

This entire controversy stems from the match played between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Guwahati on April 10th. During Rajasthan's batting, team manager Romi Bhinder was caught on camera using his mobile phone while sitting in the dugout. Young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi, sitting next to him, was also seen looking at his phone screen. A video of this incident quickly went viral on social media during the match. Following this, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia assured appropriate action considering the seriousness of the matter.

Anti-corruption code violated, PMOA rules flouted

Taking cognizance of this viral video, the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit issued an official notice to Bhinder on Monday, April 13. He has been asked to explain within 48 hours why he used a mobile phone while sitting in a sensitive area like the dugout. Although Bhinder is not seen talking to anyone on the phone in the video, using a phone in the dugout is a clear violation of the PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) guidelines. Under the IPL's strict rules, only the team manager and security manager are allowed to have phones, and that too is limited to the dressing room. Using a phone in the dugout is considered a direct violation of the anti-corruption code.

He was granted special exemption due to illness, but now he will have to prove his innocence

A key aspect of this controversy has emerged: Romi Bhinder recently received special permission from the BCCI to carry his phone in the dugout. Before the start of the IPL, Bhinder suffered a serious lung condition and was even in the ICU for several days. After recovering from the illness, when he rejoined the team, he requested an exemption, citing health reasons that prevented him from repeatedly walking from the dugout to the dressing room. The Board granted him this exemption as a humanitarian gesture, but now he will have to explain the purpose of his phone use in his response. The final decision in this matter will be based on this response.