Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag may now have to answer to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after a video of him vaping surfaced following his team’s win over Punjab Kings in the IPL. Parag, 24, was spotted using an e-cigarette inside the dressing-room during Tuesday’s match in Chandigarh, with the footage appearing on television and spreading rapidly across social media.
Under Indian law, e-cigarettes are prohibited. A 2019 regulation bans the manufacture, import, sale, and storage of these devices, and the restriction applies regardless of whether they contain nicotine. The law also provides for penalties that can include fines of up to Rs 5 lakh (around $6,000), alongside potential jail time, while personal possession and vaping in public remain illegal.
On the field, Parag’s knock of 29 played a part in Rajasthan’s successful chase of 222. The victory also dealt Punjab Kings a major blow, handing them their first loss of the season despite arriving as the tournament’s top side.
However, the captain’s broader batting form has been under scrutiny. This season, he has managed 117 runs across nine matches, posting an average of 14.62, a return that has not matched expectations for a leader at the top of the order.
With the IPL’s code of conduct and rules on conduct likely to come into play, the BCCI could consider action ranging from a fine for breaching tournament regulations to a disciplinary response aimed at discouraging similar behaviour. The incident also raises questions about setting an example, especially given the visibility of the moment during a live match broadcast.
Rajasthan’s recent disciplinary history adds another layer to the situation. Not long ago, the franchise’s team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder was fined Rs 100,000 for using a mobile phone in the dugout during a game.
