Rajasthan Royals have largely kept themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot during the opening half of IPL 2026, staying firmly within the bracket of teams competing for qualification. But while their on-field performances have kept the franchise’s title-hopes alive, the club has also found itself at the centre of off-field controversy. The first flashpoint came when team manager Romi Bhinder was seen using a mobile phone inside the dugout during a match. Not long after that, a more serious incident surfaced after captain Riyan Parag was spotted vaping in the dressing room during RR’s latest outing against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh.
In response to the matter, the Board of Control for India (BCCI) moved quickly on Thursday. Parag received a penalty of 25% of his match fee and was also handed a demerit point. The league’s disciplinary action did not end with the ruling, though—within hours, head coach Kumar Sangakkara addressed the issue publicly and made his position clear.
Sangakkara, speaking in the aftermath of the decision, said the recent controversies have not benefited the team and stressed that both matters had already been dealt with by the BCCI as well as the franchise. He also pointed to the need for players to adhere to the standards expected within the team environment. “Such controversies are no positives for the team and all I can say is that both issues have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise,” Sangakkara said ahead of RR’s encounter against Delhi Capitals. “It is a reminder to the players that they have to maintain the team’s culture.”
In its official communication regarding Parag, the BCCI also indicated that it is considering taking stronger action not only against the player, but potentially extending the scrutiny to the Rajasthan Royals franchise and its officials. The aim, as stated, is to protect the image of the tournament and ensure that the “reputation of the IPL remains intact.” The board’s release further noted that it was looking at additional pathways to begin proceedings for a more severe response against the team, relevant officials, and the player(s) involved.
The position was echoed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who later confirmed that the board is still weighing its next step. He stated that while the statement was clear about exploring action against the franchise, no final decision had been made on what form that action would take. “As it is written clearly in the statement, we are exploring what action to take on the team. It is not decided yet,” Saikia said.
Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to return to action on May 1, when they face Delhi Capitals in Jaipur. Before that match, Sangakkara also shifted the focus back to cricket, referencing Parag’s impact on the field during IPL 2026. He highlighted the captain’s key contribution in the win over Punjab Kings earlier in the week, describing it as a turning point that helped restore momentum in RR’s favour. “His little innings shifted the momentum in our way,” Sangakkara said. “He brought the momentum back in our favour.”
