Rajasthan Royals may have ended Punjab Kings’ run of victories on Wednesday, but the loudest headlines after the match didn’t come from the chase or the bowling figures. They came from a moment involving captain Riyan Parag, who was caught on camera vaping inside the dressing room—an incident that quickly snowballed into a social media flashpoint and threatened to eclipse the on-field win.
RR’s win takes a back seat to Parag’s vaping controversy
The match delivered plenty of competitive intensity, and RR ultimately secured the points. However, the post-game conversation turned sharply toward what viewers saw in the dressing area rather than the team’s execution under pressure. The viral clip circulated almost immediately, transforming a hard-earned victory into a secondary storyline centered on Parag’s off-field image.
As per the footage, the episode took place during the 16th over of Rajasthan’s chase. Parag is shown using a vape while in the dressing room, prompting criticism and raising questions about compliance with stadium rules and broader legal restrictions.
Why the incident could land Parag in trouble
Parag’s actions may place him under scrutiny because smoking is strictly off-limits in dressing rooms and across stadium grounds, except where vaping or smoking is allowed in designated areas. The situation becomes more complicated due to how e-cigarettes and vapes are treated under Indian law.
Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) enacted in 2019, the production, sale, purchase, import, export, and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vapes are prohibited. Any breach of the legislation can invite serious consequences, including imprisonment and heavy fines, which means the matter is not limited to a simple infringement of ground regulations.
The Act took effect on September 18, 2019. A major factor behind the ban is that it does not extend to products covered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
RR’s season-long brush with protocol issues
This is not the first time Rajasthan has been pulled into controversy during the ongoing campaign. Earlier in the year, Romi Bhinder—RR’s manager—was caught using a mobile phone in the team dugout during their IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Following that incident, the BCCI anti-corruption unit, headed by Sharad Kumar, issued a show-cause notice to Bhinder and asked him to submit an explanation.
What happened in Bhinder’s case
The anti-corruption unit was not satisfied with the response Bhinder provided. The matter was treated as a violation, and Bhinder was penalised under the IPL protocols. He received a fine of INR 1 lakh and was also issued an official warning for the breach.
Saikia explained the sequence of events: Bhinder was involved in a protocol breach during the Guwahati match. After being served with a notice under the IPL protocols, he was given 48 hours to explain his position. His reply was submitted, but the unit remained unconvinced.
- Romi Bhinder was involved in a protocol violation in the Guwahati match.
- He was issued a notice under the IPL protocols and given 48 hours to explain.
- After his explanation, the anti-corruption unit still expressed dissatisfaction.
- Because it was his first breach, he was fined INR 1 lakh.
- He was also handed a warning and told to be more careful in the future.
