Rajasthan Royals (RR) manager Romi Bhinder has found himself at the center of an investigation by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) after being spotted using a mobile phone in the dugout during a high-stakes IPL 2026 match against RCB in Guwahati. While the visual triggered immediate concerns regarding a breach of the BCCI’s Minimum Standards for Players and Match Officials Areas (PMOA), new details suggest the incident was driven by a severe medical history.
Sources close to the development revealed that Bhinder has been battling significant health issues, including a past incident where both of his lungs collapsed, leaving him on a ventilator for nearly a week. Due to his condition, which includes chronic asthma and a recent loss of over 10 kilograms, medical professionals have reportedly advised him against excessive physical exertion, such as frequently climbing stairs to reach the dressing room—the only area where managers are typically permitted to use communication devices.
The defense argues that while Bhinder was in possession of the phone in the dugout, he was not making or receiving calls but merely scrolling through it. “He has to walk at least 50 steps and climb around 20 steps to reach the dressing room. His medical condition likely forced him to check the phone in the dugout itself,” a source quoted by The New Indian Express stated. As the ACSU proceeds with its inquiry, the Royals’ management is hopeful that his critical health background will be taken into account before any disciplinary conclusion is reached.