LSG fan or support staff? Mystery man catches attention for using phone during IPL 2026 match vs CSK

RR support staff landed in trouble for using phone in dugout earlier in IPL 2026 season

Earlier in this season, during an IPL 2026 match between RCB and RR in Guwahati, RR's team manager, Romi Bhinder, was caught operating a handheld mobile device in the team dugout.

It was a clear breach of the IPL's anti-corruption mandates, which sparked a digital firestorm. Subsequently, the BCCI and the IPL governing body took cognisance of the matter and Bhinder was eventually handed a fine of INR 1 lakh and was also issued a warning.

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What is the PMOA protocol? Are mobile phones allowed in dugouts and dressing rooms in IPL?

According to the rigorous Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) guidelines, the dugout is a strictly dark zone for personal communication. While team analysts are granted exemptions to use specific hardware for data processing at designated tables, the rulebook explicitly forbids managers from utilising cellular phones in the viewing area.

Such devices must be powered down and surrendered to security officers upon arrival at the stadium. The rule states: “The Team Manager may use a phone in the dressing room area but NOT in the dugout.”

There are two anti-corruption managers, who are appointed by the Head of the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, to oversee that the sanctity of the sport is maintained.

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A section of fans claims that the LSG incident happened in VIP area and not dugout

While several fans online demanded an investigation into the matter and deemed it extremely serious, some pointed out that the mysterious LSG man might not have used the phone in the dugout but had been sitting in the VIP area, where several members of the team management often sit.

It now remains to be seen if BCCI will launch an investigation into the matter or whether the usage of the phone was not really a breach of IPL anti-corruption protocols.

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