Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag could be handed disciplinary action after a video showing him vaping inside the dressing room began circulating on social media. The clip emerged around RR’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday, triggering alarm among supporters and prompting renewed calls for the BCCI to look into the matter.
Key takeaways
- Riyan Parag’s vaping incident reportedly took place in the RR dressing room during the IPL 2026 game versus Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
- The video has gone viral, with fans urging the BCCI to investigate and address the conduct.
- Supporters have drawn comparisons to earlier high-profile vaping cases involving AB de Villiers and Aaron Finch.
- In the IPL, smoking and vaping are banned inside stadium grounds except in specified areas, and India’s e-cigarette law is also strict.
- Despite the off-field controversy, Rajasthan Royals chased 222 and beat Punjab Kings, who suffered their first defeat of the season.
Why fans are calling for action
As the footage spread, many fans pointed to a previous episode involving former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers. In January 2026, during an SA20 encounter between Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town, De Villiers was caught on camera vaping. The moment quickly became a talking point, with De Villiers appearing startled after realising he was being shown live on the big screen.
Although the community criticised De Villiers for the careless act, he ultimately avoided punishment because vaping was not considered illegal in South Africa at the time. A separate parallel was also highlighted: Australia captain Aaron Finch had been involved in a similar incident during an IPL match between RCB and RR in 2020, a season played in the UAE due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
In Parag’s situation, however, the consequences could be more serious. Vaping and smoking are strictly not permitted within IPL stadium premises, aside from designated zones. Beyond league rules, India’s legal framework is notably tougher: e-cigarettes were banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which bars production, sale, purchase, import, export, and advertising of vapes across the country.
The legislation also includes severe consequences for breaches, such as significant fines and potential imprisonment of up to six months. As of now, there has been no official clarification from the BCCI, the Rajasthan Royals, or Parag himself regarding what happened.
RR’s season context and the match outcome
The controversy comes at a time when the 24-year-old is already dealing with pressure. Parag is captaining Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 campaign after Sanju Samson moved to the Chennai Super Kings. On the batting front, he has struggled to find consistency, managing only 81 runs across seven innings prior to the Punjab Kings game, a run that has drawn criticism from fans and former players alike.
Yet, despite the distraction, RR delivered in the chase. Rajasthan Royals successfully hunted down 222, finishing with six wickets in hand to defeat Punjab Kings and inflict their first loss of the season.
