The Board of Control for Cricket in India has moved swiftly against Rajasthan Royals team manager Rami Bhinder after allegations of breaching anti-corruption protocol surfaced during Friday’s IPL clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where a viral dugout video showed him using a mobile phone.
The footage lit up social media and forced the issue into the open. Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi quickly pushed for action, and the board responded by activating its anti-corruption machinery without delay.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has already issued a formal notice to Bhinder. The officials have demanded a response within 48 hours, asking him to explain exactly why he used a phone during the match.
IPL Governing Council chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed the move, saying, “We have asked the ACU to investigate and they will submit a report on this incident.” That line sounds procedural, but it carries weight. The ACU does not get involved unless the board sees a potential breach worth examining closely.
The central issue revolves around strict dugout rules. Anti-corruption protocol bans unauthorised communication devices during matches to prevent any risk of information leaks or external influence. Even a seemingly harmless act, like scrolling, raises red flags in a tournament where integrity sits above everything.
Initial indications suggest Bhinder may have used the phone due to health-related reasons. Reports claim he has suffered serious medical issues in the past, including lung complications that required extended hospitalisation in Nagpur.
A source told the publication, “He has lost over 10 kilograms due to health issues. He also has asthma, and doctors have advised him to avoid long walks and stairs. He had permission to carry the phone, but the only issue is using it. He did not make or receive any calls. He was only scrolling.”
That defence may soften the edges, but it does not close the case. The rulebook does not deal in sympathy; it deals in compliance. Permission to carry a phone does not automatically translate into permission to use it mid-match.
Bhinder now stands at a crossroads. He must convince the ACU that his actions posed no risk to the game’s integrity. The board, meanwhile, must balance human circumstances against the uncompromising standards that keep the IPL credible.
