Massive controversy happened in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2026. One cricketer was found using a mobile in the dugout to text his girlfriend while the game was in progress.

This is a strict violation as far as the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) is concerned. No player or staff member is supposed to use any form of electronic device in the dugout, or any area marked as PMOA.

The player was handed the INR 1 Lakh fine by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to reports carried by PTI, it came to light that Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) contemplated banning the player for two years. The local cricket body later decided against it since the matter wasn’t serious enough.

One official from Tamil Nadu cricket spoke to PTI and said that the association will not name the player since the investigations are going on.

He also added that the cricketer was a left-handed batter who played Ranji Trophy last season and scored two-fifties during the campaign. The official also confirmed that the cricketer was texting his girlfriend from the dugout and there were no corruption charges.

Earlier this year, Romi Bhinder was fined INR 1 Lakh after the Rajasthan Royals manager was caught using a mobile in the dugout during IPL 2026. The entire incident was caught on camera during the game.

As per the rules, Team Managers can use their mobile in the dressing room, while the players and support staff have to give away their phones after arriving at the stadium.

Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026

The season began on 4th August 2026, and a total of 19 games have been played so far. Madurai Panthers are leading the table currently with eight points from five games, having won four matches. Salem are bottom of the points table without any points from five games.

Former Chennai Super Kings star Narayana Jagadeesan is heading the batting charts with 301 runs from five matches with a strike rate of 171.

The 26-year-old pace bowler G Kishoor is the leading wicket-taker with 9 wickets from four games. The qualifiers are set to be played on 23rd and 26th August, with the eliminator game scheduled to be played on 24th and the final on 28th August.