Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag found himself at the centre of a new controversy on Tuesday night after TV cameras caught him vaping inside the dressing room during their match against Punjab Kings. The incident, captured during the live broadcast, showed Parag inhaling from an e-cigarette, an action that immediately sparked widespread reaction online and pulled attention away from the game itself.
It also added to a difficult phase for Parag with the bat in this IPL. Despite the off-field noise, he contributed in the chase, striking 29 off 16 balls as Rajasthan successfully hunted down a target of 223.
In the aftermath, IPL and BCCI officials linked to tournament operations were described as viewing the episode as a careless act in an era where every moment is scrutinised by cameras and social media. One well-placed figure in the league setup pointed out that while many players may use e-cigarettes, doing so openly in a dressing room—especially when so many cameras are present—was unnecessarily risky. The same source suggested that the BCCI could be compelled to respond given how clearly the incident was recorded.
Under Indian law, e-cigarettes have been banned since 2019, which covers production, sale, and distribution. For a first-time offence, the law provides for imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Even with those legal concerns in the background, there are differing views on how the IPL might deal with the matter. A report from Times Now, citing unnamed sources, claimed Parag may not face any punishment because the IPL rulebook reportedly contains no specific clause to penalise a player for vaping. That same report indicated the board might instead consider issuing a warning, adding that Parag is not expected to receive a major sanction.
Separately, The Indian Express reported that the BCCI, through an unnamed official, would look to obtain an explanation from the Rajasthan skipper. The official’s position was that vaping is not permitted, and that the league’s next steps would depend on how Parag responds, before any further action is taken.
This is not the first time Rajasthan have been dragged into controversy during the current campaign. Earlier in the month, the Royals’ team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs 1 lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after he was found using his mobile phone in the dugout.
