New Delhi: In a strong reminder of its zero-tolerance stance on anti-corruption protocol, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is found. Rajasthan Royals Team manager Romi Bhandar has been fined Rs 1 lakh for violating match day rules during an Indian Premier League match.The incident took place during Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on April 10, where Bhandar was found using a mobile phone inside the team dugout. IPLPlayers and Match Officials Area (PMOA) Protocol.IPL 2026: GT vs KKR Live ScoreACU found the response ‘unsatisfactory’BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) headed by Sharad Kumar had issued a show-cause notice to Bhandar seeking an explanation. However, after reviewing their response, the board declared it unsatisfactory.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that Bhandar was found guilty of breaching protocol.“The team led by Sharad Kumar examined Bhandar’s answer and found him guilty. His answer was not satisfactory,” Saikia said. “Since this is a first-time offence, a fine of Rs one lakh has been imposed along with a warning.”According to the IPL Media Advisory, Bhandar has since admitted the mistake and tendered an unconditional apology.Strict rules, no exceptionsThe IPL’s PMOA guidelines strictly prohibit the use of mobile phones and other communication devices in sensitive areas such as the dugout, allowing their use only in designated areas of the dressing room.According to the rules, all players and support staff must switch off and submit their equipment to the team’s security liaison officer upon arrival at the venue. Only limited personnel, such as analysts at designated stations, are allowed to use approved equipment.The breach gained attention when visuals showed Bhandar scrolling on his smartphone in the dugout, with young player Vibhu Suryavanshi sitting nearby.Sources indicated that Bhandar was dealing with health issues, which may have led to the breakdown, though the BCCI maintained that protocol violations could not be ignored.“Using phones in the dugout is strictly not a given. Given his experience, he would have been aware of the rules. It may have been inadvertent, but the board has handled it appropriately,” a source told PTI.
