Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been hit with a significant sanction from the BCCI after a vaping incident in the dressing room during the match against Punjab Kings quickly went viral. The episode, captured during live coverage and spread widely on social media, drew immediate criticism from fans who questioned whether such conduct had any place in the league.
Quick facts
- Riyan Parag was fined 25% of his match fee.
- He received one demerit point for a Level 1 offence.
- The breach was linked to IPL Code of Conduct Article 2.21, covering conduct that brings the game into disrepute.
- The incident happened during Rajasthan’s chase in Match No. 40 of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026.
- Parag admitted the offence and accepted the sanction from the match referee, Amit Sharma.
- The BCCI said it is also exploring additional options for stricter proceedings.
After the backlash, the BCCI delivered its decision and confirmed that the Royals skipper had violated the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials. Parag’s punishment includes a 25% cut from his match earnings and one demerit point, classified under a Level 1 breach.
The board’s statement noted that Parag was found to have infringed Article 2.21 of the code, which addresses behaviour that brings cricket into disrepute. The incident came during the second innings when Parag was seen using a vape inside the dressing room, a moment that drew attention almost as soon as it appeared on broadcast.
Parag accepts the sanction
Parag has accepted the penalty after acknowledging the offence. The sanction was imposed by the match referee, Amit Sharma, and Parag’s admission formed part of the BCCI’s process.
Additional reports around the development suggested that the BCCI has also issued a warning to Parag, urging him not to repeat such mistakes. The aim, as framed in the response to the incident, is to ensure greater responsibility from those involved with the franchise and its on-field and off-field conduct.
The vaping incident occurred in the 16th over of Rajasthan’s chase, when Parag was filmed in the dressing room using the device. Once the clip emerged through the broadcast, it put the captain under scrutiny for violating basic team and stadium protocols—rules that are meant to protect the integrity of matchday environments.
Smoking and vaping are strictly barred in dressing rooms and other enclosed stadium areas, with allowances limited only to designated smoking zones. The episode has therefore been treated not merely as a personal lapse, but as a clear breach of established match regulations.
Broader legal backdrop
There is also a wider compliance angle because India has a strict legal approach to e-cigarettes. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, the production, sale, purchase, import, export, and advertisement of vapes and e-cigarettes are banned across the country.
Any violation of that law can lead to serious consequences, including steep penalties and even imprisonment. That broader framework has raised the stakes around the incident, making it more than just an internal disciplinary matter within a franchise competition.
The BCCI also indicated that it is considering other routes to initiate proceedings for tougher action. The objective is to ensure the IPL’s reputation remains intact and that teams, their officials, and any involved players meet the standards expected by the league.
