Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has called for a tough response to alleged vaping by Punjab Kings wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, after a video surfaced online showing him, according to claims, using an e-cigarette during the team’s flight. The clip has been circulating rapidly on social media, but it has not been independently confirmed whether the footage is genuine or whether Chahal was actually vaping. In India, both the sale and use of e-cigarettes are banned, and Sivaramakrishnan argued that the same standard must apply to everyone in the IPL ecosystem.
Why Sivaramakrishnan is demanding “strict action”
Sivaramakrishnan said Chahal should be “behind bars,” pointing to the legal ban on vaping in the country. He also questioned the impact of punishments that he believes are too light, especially when compared to what would happen to a regular person under the same rules. The ex-spinner stated that the law must be followed, while criticising the BCCI’s approach in a prior case involving Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag.
- Sivaramakrishnan said vaping is banned in India and argued that Chahal should face jail-like consequences.
- He questioned the logic of having laws if they are not enforced strongly.
- He suggested that a penalty amount seen as inadequate would be different for an ordinary citizen.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Sivaramakrishnan wrote: “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?”
What the video shows and the link to earlier vaping case
The former spinner claimed that in the latest clip, Chahal appears to be trying to conceal the act while seated on the flight with Shashank Singh. He noted that the video first went online through a share associated with Arshdeep Singh’s podcast. The discussion around vaping penalties is not new in the tournament, either—earlier, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was fined 25% of his match fees for vaping inside the dressing room during Rajasthan Royals’ match against Punjab Kings.
- The alleged incident involves Chahal on a flight, sitting alongside Shashank Singh.
- The video is said to have been shared online via Arshdeep Singh’s podcast.
- Riyan Parag previously received a 25% fine of his match earnings for vaping in the dressing room during a Punjab Kings game.
BCCI’s eight-page directive: vapes banned across IPL venues
Alongside the online controversy, the BCCI has already issued guidance to the ten IPL franchises. Earlier this week, the board sent an eight-page instruction to all teams, asking them to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure for the tournament. The communication made it clear that vaping is not permitted within stadium premises or team hotels during the IPL.
The board referenced that vaping inside dressing rooms and other restricted areas has come to its notice. It further emphasised that vapes and electronic cigarettes are prohibited under applicable Indian law, and that anyone found doing so within tournament premises would not only be breaking IPL and BCCI rules, but could also be committing a cognisable offence under the relevant statutory framework.
- The BCCI’s directive asks franchises to follow the Standard Operating Procedure throughout the tournament.
- It states that vaping is disallowed in stadium areas and team hotels during IPL activities.
- It warns that violations in restricted zones can breach BCCI/IPL rules and may also amount to a cognisable offence under Indian law.
In the official communication, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia wrote that “Instances of vaping within dressing rooms and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to BCCI’s attention.” He added: “It is pertinent to note that vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian Law. Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.”
Saikia then underlined the scope of the ban, saying: “Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities.”
