The BCCI has responded to a video showing Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag vaping in the dressing room, with the incident reportedly occurring during RR’s chase against Punjab Kings. The footage surfaced after Parag was seen using a vape inside the team area while teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Singh Charak and Kuldeep Sen were present.
Quick facts
- Riyan Parag was shown vaping in the Rajasthan Royals dressing room.
- The episode reportedly happened on Tuesday during the 16th over of RR’s chase vs Punjab Kings.
- Teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Singh Charak and Kuldeep Sen were in the dressing room at the time.
- The BCCI is expected to ask Parag for an explanation before deciding on any disciplinary steps.
- Vaping and smoking are not allowed inside IPL stadium grounds except in designated areas.
- India’s Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019 bans production, sale, purchase, import, export and advertisement of e-cigarettes nationwide.
- Penalties under PECA can include fines and imprisonment of up to six months.
- Neither the BCCI, the Rajasthan Royals nor Parag has offered an official explanation so far.
The reported plan from the board is to seek Parag’s response first, before any further action is discussed. A BCCI official was quoted as saying vaping is not permitted, and that the next steps will depend on what Parag has to say.
Under IPL rules, smoking and vaping are tightly restricted inside stadium premises, with the only exception being clearly marked designated zones. Beyond cricket governance, India’s national legislation is also notably strict: the country banned e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) in 2019.
PECA outlaws a wide range of activities involving vapes, including manufacturing, selling, buying, importing, exporting and advertising them across the country. The law also carries serious consequences, with provisions that can lead to heavy fines and imprisonment for up to six months in case of violations.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the BCCI, the Rajasthan Royals, or Parag himself addressing the incident. The episode has therefore added another layer of scrutiny to a season that has already been challenging for the 24-year-old.
Parag’s season pressure continues
The controversy arrives while Parag is dealing with form-related concerns as Rajasthan Royals prepare for the 2026 campaign. He is leading the franchise after Sanju Samson’s move to the Chennai Super Kings, a shift that has put additional spotlight on the captain and his batting contributions.
Parag’s batting has been inconsistent, with the player managing just 81 runs across seven innings prior to this match. That output has drawn criticism from fans as well as former cricketers, amplifying the attention on his performances.
Still, Rajasthan Royals found a strong rhythm in the chase, successfully reaching 223 and finishing with six wickets in hand. Their win came against Punjab Kings, and it also handed the opposition their first defeat of the season despite the off-field distraction.
Parag contributed with a 16-ball 29 during the successful chase of 223. Rajasthan’s ability to close out the target ensured the match result stayed positive for the team, even as the vaping controversy continues to gather attention.
