The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a show-cause notice to Romi Bhinder, team manager of Rajasthan Royals, for using a mobile handset (a communication device) during their IPL match @L0$ in Guwahati recently. The notice, in fact, was sent by the BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), which has sought a response within 48 hours.
The charge against the official relates to the use of a mobile phone in the dugout. The team managers are permitted to use a handset, but only within the dressing room. In this instance, he was seen using the phone outside that area. It remains a technicality whether he was inside the dugout, as he was seated in front of a refrigerator that is adjacent to the players' boundary side enclosure.
As per guidelines, each team manager shall be permitted to carry a Mobile Device within the PMOA, provided that it is used either: (a) by him/her for cricket operations purposes only; and/or (b) by any Player or Player Support Personnel for any important personal matter, provided that the team manager has given his express permission to the Player or Player Support Personnel before such use.
Further, the PMOA rules say, "each team security manager and Match Officials security manager shall be permitted to carry a Mobile Device within the PMOA but any such device must be turned onto silent mode at all times whilst such individual is in the PMOA and must not be used for any purpose either inside or outside the PMOA at the venue, other than in the case of a security emergency."
Another relevant clause says, "each team manager shall be permitted to carry and use a laptop computer (or any other similar communication device), whether to access the Internet or otherwise, within the PMOA, provided that it is used only by him/her and only for cricket operations purposes of a logistical or administrative nature related to the Match or upcoming IPL Matches."
At the same time, the guidelines also say as a Guidance note: "For the avoidance of doubt, any team manager who uses his laptop computer (or any other similar communication device) other than for cricket operations purposes of a logistical or administrative nature (for example, for personal use) shall automatically be in breach of Article 4.2.5 (which is mentioned above)."
Bhinder, who recently recovered from a near-fatal lung ailment, was well within the rules to use the phone. If there is a case to establish that the handset was being used for cricket operations purpose is to be seen. He was reportedly not in a position to return to the dressing room for health reasons. He is understood to have informed the BCCI of his medical condition prior to the start of the season.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI started permitting the use of two communication devices and has been communicating with the team officials through WhatsApp. It is being argued that franchises need to be aware of communications from the BCCI - the very reason mobile phones are permitted.
The RR team is understood to have had CoC (Code of Conduct) breaches, all relating to dress code violations. A few other teams are also believed to have received notices for similar infringements but those are different from this matter of course.
