Published on: Apr 29, 2026 2:56 pm IST|Updated on: Apr 29, 2026 2:58 pm IST
Some shocking visuals came before the camera during IPL 2026 match 40 between the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night. RR’s skipper Riyan Parag has landed in hot water after he was captured on live television allegedly vaping inside the dressing room during the second innings.
The controversy erupted during the 16th over of Rajasthan’s pursuit of a massive 223-run target. As the broadcast camera panned toward the RR dressing room to capture the team’s reaction to the tense chase, it briefly caught Parag inhaling from a device that appeared to be an e-cigarette or vape. The 24-year-old was seen seated alongside teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal when the footage was captured.
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The clip spread across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) within minutes, triggering a wave of criticism from fans and former cricketers alike. Beyond the breach of professional decorum, the incident carries significant legal weight. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, the production, sale, distribution, and storage of e-cigarettes are strictly banned across India.
Legal experts suggest that Parag could theoretically face up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh for a first-time offense under Indian law. Furthermore, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has zero-tolerance health and safety protocols regarding the use of tobacco or related products within the stadium premises, including dressing rooms and dugouts.
The timing of this scandal is particularly damaging for the Rajasthan Royals. While the team celebrated a sensational six-wicket victory, ending Punjab’s seven-game unbeaten run, the spotlight has shifted entirely to their captain’s off-field conduct.
Parag has already been under immense scrutiny this season. After taking over the captaincy following Sanju Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings, Parag has struggled for consistency. Before his useful cameo of 29 runs off 16 balls in the previous game against the Punjab Kings, he had managed only 81 runs across seven innings. Critics have pointed out that, as a senior professional leading a squad that includes impressionable youngsters like 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Parag’s actions set a poor precedent.
Sources within the BCCI and the IPL Disciplinary Committee have indicated that a show-cause notice is likely to be issued.
“It is a careless and unprofessional act, especially in the age of 4K cameras and constant social media surveillance,” an IPL official stated.
This is the second disciplinary issue for the Royals this season. Earlier in the month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh for breaching Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) protocols by using a mobile phone in the dugout. The repeat offenses have raised questions about the franchise’s management of player and staff conduct.
Parag is not the first high-profile cricketer to be caught in a vaping controversy. In 2020, former Australian captain Aaron Finch was seen vaping during an IPL match, and more recently, AB de Villiers was spotted with a vape in the VIP stands during an SA20 game. However, Parag’s incident is being viewed more severely due to it occurring within the restricted confines of the dressing room during a live chase.
While some captains had raised concerns about dressing room privacy during the pre-season meeting in Mumbai, the BCCI is expected to maintain that privacy does not grant immunity from violating national laws or league regulations.
As the Rajasthan Royals prepare for their next match against the Delhi Capitals on May 1, the cricketing world awaits the official verdict on Parag. A suspension or a heavy fine could seriously derail RR’s momentum, just as they have climbed to third on the points table.
Tags: IPL 2026