BCCI fines Ranji player ₹1 lakh for TNPL protocol breach

A Ranji Trophy player has been fined ₹1 lakh and removed from the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) following a breach of anti-corruption protocols. The incident occurred during a match at the Dindigul ground on August 10, when the player was found in possession of an unauthorized mobile phone within the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA).

An investigation by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) determined that the device was used to text a girlfriend and was not linked to bookmaking or match-fixing. Despite the lack of corruption, the use of a mobile phone in the dugout is a strict violation of ICC and BCCI regulations.

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) opted not to issue a long-term ban, noting the infraction was not ‘grave,’ but confirmed the player would be excluded from the remainder of the tournament. The player's identity has not been publicly released by the TNCA or the ACSU.