Punjab Kings leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has become the centre of a fresh controversy after a social media video—claimed to show him vaping during a team flight—began circulating widely online. In the clip, Chahal is reportedly seen trying to hide the act while seated next to teammate Shashank Singh. The footage has been linked to a podcast segment that was shared by Arshdeep Singh, but the key question—whether the video is genuine and whether Chahal is actually using an e-cigarette—has not been independently confirmed.
The allegation sparked an angry response from former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who urged harsher penalties if the claims are established. Reacting to the situation on social media, Sivaramakrishnan underlined that vaping devices are banned in India and questioned the value of existing rules if they are not implemented rigorously. He wrote on X: “Vape is banned in India. Should be behind bars. What is the point in having Laws and not implementing them. 25% of match fees is peanuts. What if a regular person had done this, What would the action be?”
Sivaramakrishnan’s comments also drew a direct link to a recent disciplinary episode involving Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. Earlier in the season, Parag was fined 25% of his match fee after being caught vaping inside the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings. The latest controversy involving Chahal arrives not long after the BCCI issued a detailed reminder to all IPL franchises about tournament conduct and prohibited items.
BCCI directive on vaping across IPL venues
- The BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, circulated guidance to all IPL teams reinforcing that vapes and electronic cigarettes are banned under Indian law.
- Saikia’s message stated that the ban is strictly enforced across IPL venues and related team spaces, including stadium areas and team accommodation.
- The communication noted that instances of vaping in dressing rooms and other restricted zones of tournament facilities had come to the BCCI’s attention.
- It reiterated that the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is barred across all IPL tournament grounds and facilities, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice areas.
- The directive was framed as a clear reiteration of restrictions already in place, following the league’s ongoing monitoring of conduct within controlled team environments.
With the Chahal footage still awaiting independent verification, the controversy is likely to intensify discussions around enforcement and whether fines are sufficient deterrents—especially in light of Sivaramakrishnan’s call for significantly stricter consequences if allegations are proven true.
