While the Board of Control for Cricket in India\u2019s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has swung into action and initiated a probe, Board secretary Devajit Saikia said the \u201cveracity of the incident\u201d would be established before any conclusion is drawn.<\/p>\n
\u201cManagers using a mobile phone is permissible, but we need to find out whether there was any violation of rules. That fact-finding exercise is now on. Once it is complete, we will take necessary steps depending on the outcome,\u201d Saikia told\u00a0 Sportstar<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Footage of the incident,\u00a0showing Bhinder on his phone with Vaibhav Suryavanshi seated beside him,\u00a0quickly went viral on social media, prompting the ACU to take cognisance.<\/p>\n
However, Saikia reiterated that due process would be followed. \u201cWe will conduct an internal examination before reaching a logical conclusion. We need to review the video footage and gather evidence,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
According to the IPL\u2019s official guidelines under the PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) protocol (2026), \u201cThe Team Manager may use a phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of every season, the IPL conducts mandatory briefings for team captains and managers, taking them through the PMOA framework and anti-corruption protocols.<\/p>\n
Bhinder, a long-serving figure with Rajasthan Royals, has been part of that system for years. During the franchise\u2019s suspension between 2016 and 2018, he also worked with Rising Pune Supergiant as team manager, before returning to his old franchise in 2018.<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 12, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n