Kumar Sangakkara reacted to the RR controversies in IPL 2026, saying the incidents hurt the team’s image after Parag and Bhinder faced disciplinary action.
Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara addressed RR’s off-field controversies during IPL 2026 and admitted the incidents have hurt the franchise’s image.
RR faced 2 controversies this season. Team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder received an INR 1 lakh fine from the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit for using a mobile phone in the dugout. Captain Riyan Parag also faced action, with a 25 percent match fee deduction after he was seen vaping in the dressing room.
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Sangakkara said such episodes do not reflect well on the team. He confirmed that both matters have been handled by the BCCI and the franchise.
“I think it is, of course, a reflection that is not positive on the team, a controversy of any kind. All I can say is that both those have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise,” Sangakkara was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
WATCH ALSO | IPL 2026: BCCI Issues Notice to RR Manager Romi Bhinder Over Dugout Phone Use
The former Sri Lanka captain then stressed the importance of maintaining standards. He added that the team continues to remind players about responsibility, discipline, and adherence to internal values as RR aims to build a positive culture on and off the field.
And then in terms of the culture, we always try to have a very positive healthy culture. We have our own values we adhere to. And the constant reminder to the players is to make sure they’re responsible to the franchise and to our culture and our values,” he continued.
Meanwhile, in the tournament, Rajasthan Royals continue to perform strongly in IPL 2026, sitting fourth with 12 points from 9 matches.
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