MULLANPUR — The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been hit by a major disciplinary scandal after Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag was captured on live television allegedly vaping inside the team dressing room. The incident occurred during a high-stakes encounter against the Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night, overshadowing a remarkable victory for the Rajasthan franchise.
The footage, which has since gone viral across social media platforms, shows the 24-year-old skipper inhaling from a device that appears to be an e-cigarette or a vape pen. The breach of protocol has not only sparked outrage among fans and former cricketers but has also placed Parag at the center of a potential legal and regulatory storm involving both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian federal law.
The Incident: Caught on 4K Camera
The controversy unfolded during the 16th over of the second innings while Rajasthan Royals were in the middle of a daunting 223-run chase. As the host broadcaster panned the cameras toward the RR dugout and dressing room to capture the tension of the closing stages, the lens focused on Parag, who had been dismissed earlier for 29 runs off 16 balls.
Seated alongside teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Parag was seen taking a deep drag from a small, handheld device, with a distinct cloud of vapour visible as he exhaled. While Jaiswal briefly moved to obstruct the view, the high-definition cameras had already broadcast the moment to millions of viewers worldwide. Within minutes, screengrabs and video clips titled “Riyan Parag Vaping” began trending on X (formerly Twitter), leading to immediate calls for accountability.
A Breach of IPL and BCCI Protocols
The incident is being viewed as a significant violation of the IPL Code of Conduct. Under the health and safety guidelines stipulated by the BCCI, stadium premises—including the field of play, dugouts, and dressing rooms—are strictly designated as non-smoking zones. These regulations specifically prohibit the use of tobacco, nicotine-delivery systems, and e-cigarettes to maintain a professional environment and protect the health of athletes.
Furthermore, the presence of an electronic device like a vape pen in the dressing room raises questions about security lapses. Players are required to deposit all communication and unapproved electronic devices with the team manager before entering the dressing room area to prevent any integrity-related issues.
“The sanctity of the dressing room is paramount,” a senior BCCI official told reporters on the condition of anonymity. “Vaping in such a space is not just a health concern; it is a blatant disregard for the rules that every professional cricketer is expected to follow. A formal show-cause notice is being prepared.”
The Legal Dimension: The 2019 E-Cigarette Ban
Beyond the sporting regulations, Parag’s actions carry serious legal weight under Indian law. In 2019, the Government of India enacted the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), which completely bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes.
Legal experts suggest that Parag could face severe consequences if the authorities choose to pursue the matter under PECA.
- First-time offenders can be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to one year or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both.
- Repeat offenders face up to three years of imprisonment and fines up to ₹5 lakh.
- Possession and storage of such devices is also a punishable offense, carrying a potential six-month jail term.
While the Act primarily targets commercial entities, the Ministry of Health clarified in 2023 that individual possession in public spaces is a violation of the Act’s intent. For a high-profile athlete to be seen using a banned substance on a national broadcast is being described by critics as an act of “incredible stupidity.”
Impact on Rajasthan Royals’ Campaign
The scandal comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Rajasthan Royals. Despite the off-field drama, the team secured a sensational six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings, successfully chasing down 222 runs and ending Punjab’s seven-game unbeaten streak. Contributions from Donovan Ferreira (52*) and Shubham Dubey (31*) were instrumental in the win, but the post-match discourse has been entirely dominated by the skipper’s conduct.
Parag, who was appointed captain this season following Sanju Samson’s trade to Chennai Super Kings, has struggled significantly with the bat. In nine matches this season, he has managed only 117 runs at a dismal average of 14.62. This latest controversy adds to the pressure on the RR management, who have previously defended Parag’s “aggressive” and “cocky” persona as part of his competitive edge.
This is also the second disciplinary issue for RR in April 2026. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and warned after he was caught using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Social Media Backlash and Expert Reaction
The cricketing community has reacted with a mix of disappointment and anger. Many former players have pointed out that Parag, as a captain, should be a role model for the younger generation.
“It’s about the example you set,” said a former India opener during a post-match show. “Thousands of kids look up to these players. Seeing a captain vape in the dressing room—in a country where it is legally banned—is a terrible look for the league and the sport.”
On social media, the sentiment was even more pointed. One viral post read, “RR’s only problem this season was Riyan Parag’s form; now it seems he’s solved that problem by getting himself suspended.” Others criticized the lack of privacy in dressing rooms, though this argument was quickly dismissed given the illegal nature of the device used.
What’s Next?
The BCCI is expected to review the footage and the Match Referee’s report before announcing sanctions. Potential penalties range from a heavy fine (50% to 100% of the match fee) to a multi-game suspension, depending on whether the act is classified as a Level 1 or Level 2 offense under the “bringing the game into disrepute” clause.
As of Wednesday evening, neither Riyan Parag nor the Rajasthan Royals management has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
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