While most things have gone right for Rajasthan Royals on the field this season, the same cannot be said about what has happened off it. First, there was the incident of the team’s manager Romi Bhinder using the mobile phone in the dugout during the IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

He was fined Rs. 1 lakh and issued a warning by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. Royals made the world’s richest cricket body even richer on Thursday, with captain Riyan Parag being fined 25 per cent of his match fee for vaping in the dressing room during the match against Punjab Kings.

The Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara admitted the controversies didn’t really help them. “Such controversies are no positives for the team and all I can say is that both issues have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise,” he said on the eve of RR’s match against Delhi Capitals. “It is a reminder to the players that they have to maintain the team’s culture.”

About the match, the former Sri Lankan captain said he was expecting a tough challenge from the Capitals, despite their lack of form. “And it looks like another good pitch out there,” he said. “We don’t expect anything less than the best out of DC.”

His skipper may not be in great form, but he pointed out the importance of his knock in the victory against Punjab Kings. “His little innings shifted the momentum in our way,” Sangakkara said. “He brought the momentum back in our favour.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026