Riyan Parag's Vaping Incident Sparks Controversy in IPL 2026

Riyan Parag, captain of Rajasthan Royals, has stirred controversy after being filmed vaping in the dressing room during an IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings. Despite the team's victory, the incident has overshadowed their performance, raising questions about player conduct. A viral video showing Parag using an e-cigarette alongside teammates has sparked widespread criticism. This incident follows a similar occurrence involving Aaron Finch in a past IPL season, further fueling debates on player behavior. Parag is expected to face disciplinary action from the BCCI, as vaping is prohibited in the Player and Match Officials Area. The implications of this incident could lead to legal scrutiny and fines, adding to the scrutiny faced by Rajasthan Royals for previous breaches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 29, 2026, 15:38 IST

Controversy Erupts Over Riyan Parag's Vaping

Riyan Parag, the captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR), has found himself at the center of a significant controversy after being filmed vaping in the dressing room during the IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on April 28.

Despite RR achieving their sixth victory of the season with a six-wicket win over PBKS, the incident involving Parag has overshadowed the team's impressive performance, where they successfully chased a target of 223 runs with four balls remaining. This off-field behavior has ignited discussions regarding player conduct during matches.

A viral video captured Parag using an e-cigarette while seated with teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel during the run chase.

Riyan parag was caught vaping in dressing room, how it's allowed inside dressing room bcci whats happening pic.twitter.com/BsYHuunBuj

The footage quickly spread across social media, leading to a wave of reactions and criticism from fans, many of whom questioned the appropriateness of such actions during a live game.

Previous Incidents of Vaping in IPL

As Riyan Parag's incident gained traction, another vaping incident involving Aaron Finch from a previous IPL season resurfaced, intensifying the conversation about player behavior off the field.

During a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020, Finch was seen using an e-cigarette while conversing with a teammate in the dressing room. Although the broadcaster quickly switched back to the live action, the clip was recorded and widely circulated on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter).

pic.twitter.com/iVHOIBknND

This incident marked one of the first instances of a player being caught vaping in the dressing room during a live broadcast, prompting discussions about player conduct during matches.

Potential Consequences for Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag is likely to face significant disciplinary measures from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL committee due to his violation of Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocols.

According to IPL regulations, vaping or smoking is strictly forbidden in the Player and Match Officials Area, which includes dressing rooms and dugouts. Given that e-cigarettes are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, this incident could also lead to legal repercussions alongside disciplinary actions from BCCI and IPL authorities.

Violations can result in fines of up to INR 5 lakh and potential jail time. The possession and use of e-cigarettes in public spaces are also illegal in India, and Riyan Parag's case is expected to be reviewed by the relevant authorities, with disciplinary actions anticipated in the near future.

This incident adds to the list of breaches by Rajasthan Royals, following a previous incident where their manager, Romi Bhinder, was fined INR 1 lakh for using a phone in the dugout, violating IPL match regulations.