IPL 2026 Controversy: Rajasthan Royals Manager Romi Bhinder Violates PMOA Protocol by Using Phone in Dugout NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder was caught using a mobile phone in the team’s dugout during their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati on Friday, sparking a controversy over adherence to the PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) protocol. The incident occurred during the 11th over of the RR chase, with Bhinder using his phone while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, seated to his right, reportedly glanced at his screen. The violation has drawn attention from IPL officials and fans, with the incident now trending on social media. According to the "PMOA PROTOCOL – 2026" guidelines published by the IPL, mobile phones and other electronic communication devices are strictly regulated within the PMOA. The protocol allows team managers to carry phones but explicitly prohibits their use in the dugout. It states that phones are permitted only in the dressing room area, not in the dugout. The media manager is also allowed a phone in the PMOA, but usage is tightly controlled. Bhinder’s actions, which involved using his phone in a space where players were present, have raised questions about the enforcement of these rules. The IPL’s official statement clarifies that while managers and media managers are permitted to carry phones, their use in the PMOA is strictly defined. The protocol emphasizes that using a phone in the dugout is a serious breach, as it could expose sensitive information or distract players. An IPL official noted that Bhinder’s act of scrolling through his phone while players were nearby constitutes a clear violation, leaving no room for ambiguity.#rajasthan_royals #royal_challengers_bengaluru #romi_bhinder #pmoa_protocol #ipl_governing_council
