Who is Romi Bhinder? IPL controversy erupts over Rajasthan Royals’ manager seen using phone with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in dugout, PMOA protocol breach

Romi Bhinder, the long-time team manager of Rajasthan Royals, courted controversy after TV cameras caught him using a mobile phone in the team dugout during their IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The incident was first shared on Instagram by a social media phenomenon. Now, it has been confirmed that Romi Bhinder did indeed use a mobile phone with youth sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was seated next to her during the Royals’ six-wicket win in Guwahati on Friday.

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“Yes, Bhinder indeed violated the Players and Match Officials’ Area (PMOA) protocol as mobile phones were banned on the bench during the match,” a BCCI official told news agency PTI. On the official website of IPL, the relevant clause regarding PMOA protocol 2026 says: “Team Manager may use telephone in the dressing room but NOT on the bench.”

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Who is Romi Bhinder?

Romi Bhinder is the long-time manager of Rajasthan Royals. According to the World Cricket Academy, Romi Bhinder is an integral part of the WCA team and focuses on franchise formation and new projects, especially in India.

Romi Bhinder: Cricket Journey, WCA Leadership and IPL Experience

Romi Bhinder has been deeply involved in cricket throughout his life, establishing a strong foundation with club cricket in the UK and representing Vidarbha, Maharashtra and Nagpur University in various district level competitions. His extensive playing experience has shaped his expertise in the sport and strengthened his position in the cricket ecosystem.

Romi Bhinder, a key member of WCA, is known for his passion for cricket and sports development. Over the years he has built and managed a highly efficient team that travels around the country, organizing promotional tours, promoting cricket and training promising players through the structured WCA learning approach. His contribution played a significant role in expanding the development of grassroots cricket.
Currently, Romi is actively working on multiple early-stage ventures within the Institute of Sport focusing on long-term sports development. He is also leading the development of a new residential cricket academy near Nagpur in Maharashtra, aimed at nurturing young talent with professional training infrastructure. In addition to his academy work, he promoted a successful cricket-based reality TV show that gained popularity across the country. His experience also includes facilitating key operations during franchise selection and trials in the Indian Premier League. Romi served as Liaison Officer for Rajasthan Royals in the first season of IPL and later worked as Assistant Manager in the third season.

Academically, Romi Bhinder holds a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology from the University of Maharashtra, further strengthening her expertise in athlete performance and mental conditioning. Romi Bhinder may come under closer scrutiny, especially after Sooryavanshi referred to her as her “local protégé” during the post-match presentation.

(with PTI inputs)