The BCCI have initiated an official inquiry into the case of Team Manager of Rajasthan Royals, Romi Bhinder using his mobile phone in the dugout during their match with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10 in Guwahati.
The incident falls under the IPLs Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol that says that the team managers may only use their mobile phones in the dressing room, and they may only use electronic devices in the dugout designated analysts.
According to the New Indian Express, the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the BCCI has served Bhinder with a notice and a probe has been launched. He has been requested to give an explanation within 48 hours.
“We have asked the ACSU to investigate and file a report on the incident,” IPL Governing Council chairman Arun Dhumal told the publication.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Bhinder was hospitalized for a considerable amount of time due to a collapsed lung, and the phone use was related to his medical condition.
“Romi has lost more than 10 kilos due to medical issues. He has asthma as well because of which he is advised not to walk a long distance or climb stairs frequently. He is with the team and performed various roles for the franchise. Hence he knows the rules and regulations but that phone was in his possession due to medical reasons. Besides, possessing a mobile phone and a laptop in the dugout is allowed as per the protocol. The only problem was the usage but again he was not making calls or receiving any of them. He was just scrolling his phone. He has time and he will try to explain his point of view to the ACSU officials,” the source said.
“We are hopeful that the ACSU officials will keep Romi’s medical conditions in mind before arriving at a conclusion. The problem was he had to walk at least 50 steps before climbing around 20 steps to reach the dressing room and do the same to return to the dugout. That must have forced him to check the phone at the dugout itself,” one of the above-mentioned sources added.
In the widely shared video, 15-year-old star batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was seen staring into the phone, even though the incident would have gone unnoticed. Discussions about the incident were more heated as a result.
