BCCI Reviews Potential PMOA Breach by Rajasthan Royals Manager Romi Bhinder
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is investigating a potential breach of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol involving Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder. The incident occurred during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati, raising questions about mobile phone regulations in restricted anti-corruption zones.
The Guwahati Dugout Incident
Television broadcasts captured Bhinder using a mobile device in the team dugout during the Rajasthan Royals run chase. Thirteen-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi was also seen looking at the screen. The footage immediately prompted compliance reviews regarding the strict anti-corruption measures enforced during all professional cricket matches.
BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board is conducting a thorough internal review before taking disciplinary action. “Certain individuals are allowed to carry phones in the dugout and Romi Bhinder, as a manager, can carry it. But we need to thoroughly examine where exactly the event happened and whether the phone was used,” Saikia stated. He emphasized the board will review all available photographic and video evidence before reaching a conclusion.
PMOA Regulations and Exemptions
The PMOA protocol establishes strict boundaries to prevent communication between active participants and external entities, safeguarding the integrity of the sport. While players are entirely restricted from possessing transmitting devices in the dugout, specific team officials hold limited exemptions for logistical purposes.
Standard anti-corruption procedures during an IPL match require adherence to specific operational rules:
- All player mobile devices must be surrendered to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) upon stadium arrival.
- Authorized team managers must restrict device usage strictly to team operations and logistics.
- Accessing tactical data or external communications regarding match situations is prohibited.
| Role | PMOA Device Policy | Usage Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Strictly Prohibited | Devices must remain locked with the ACU until the match concludes. |
| Team Managers | Permitted with Approval | Allowed strictly for operational, logistical, or medical coordination. |
| Match Officials | Regulated Usage | Limited to ACU-approved communication devices for match operations. |
Pending Governing Council Action
The formal escalation of this incident depends on the post-match report filed by Match Referee Vengalil Narayanan Kutty. Anti-Corruption Unit officers stationed at the Guwahati venue are also expected to submit their independent observations to the IPL Governing Council.
Until the BCCI issues a formal ruling, Bhinder’s access to the dugout for the upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad remains uncertain. The league maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward unapproved communications in the PMOA, aligning with the global anti-corruption frameworks documented by the International Cricket Council (ICC).