Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has brutally criticized and questioned the ethics of the officials as well. Modi takes a dig at the current IPL hierarchy regarding Rajasthan Royals (RR) team manager Romi Bhinder, who was found guilty as he caught using a phone in the dug-out during an IPL 2026 match.
Using phones or any kind of communicative devices is not allowed in the dugout during a match. As Romi Bhinder was using a phone during a Rajasthan Royals match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council imposed a fine on him for breaching the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules. Under this rule, the board fined INR 1 lakh to the RR manager.
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Lalit Modi’s strict verdict on the Rajasthan Royals manager, who used a phone in the dugout
Modi felt that the IPL and board officials should have managed the situation with stricter action. Taking a step further, Lalit Modi said that for violating the rule, the RR manager, Romi Bhinder, should be banned from the tournament.
“Why fine only. Should be banned – zero tolerance is the only mantra. This shows the BCCI and IPL governing council are not ready to be a zero-tolerance administration. They are always protecting someone or something. Shut him down, guys. ” The only way to get a message to one and all,” Lalit Modi wrote on his ‘X’ post.
Why fine only. Should be banned – zero tolerance is the only mantra. This shows bcci and ipl governing council not ready to be zero tolerance administration. They are always protecting someone or something. Shut him down guys. Only way to get a message to one and all https://t.co/B2gzW53lqD
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 17, 2026
It was the Rajasthan Royals vs RCB match in Guwahati
The incident was captured during the Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RR vs RCB) match in Guwahati on April 10. Bhinder was spotted clearly, using a phone in the team’s dugout when the match was underway. RR opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was sitting next to him in the dugout.
It was later reported that the Royals manager has been dealing with health issues and has difficulty walking long distances and climbing stairs. However, these were not entertained as any excuses. BCCI, in an official statement, mentioned that, along with imposing a fine on the team manager, he was warned by the board’s Anti-Corruption Unit. In response, Romi Bhinder accepted his mistake.
BCCI issued an official statement on the matter
“The team led by Sharad Kumar examined Bhinder’s response and found him guilty. His response to the notice was unsatisfactory. He was found guilty of breaching the protocol. As it is a first-time offence, a one lakh fine has been imposed, and a warning has been issued. Acknowledging the lapse, Mr. Bhinder admitted to the offence and offered an unconditional apology,” BCCI informed in an official statement.
A BCCI source informed the news agency PTI that using a phone in the dugout is strictly prohibited in the Indian Premier League. The Rajasthan Royals manager could have done that unwittingly, but the board has handled the matter in a proper way.
“Using a phone in the dugout is a strict no-no, and being part of the IPL for long, I am sure Bhinder was aware of it. It could have happened inadvertently as well, but the BCCI has dealt with the issue appropriately,” the source said.
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