IPL 2026: Riyan Parag Faces Controversy Over Vaping Incident

IPL 2026 Vaping Controversy

During the IPL 2026 season, Riyan Parag, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, has found himself at the center of a controversy. On April 28, during a match against Punjab Kings held in Mullānpur, he was spotted vaping in the dressing room. This incident occurred during the 16th over of Rajasthan's innings when the camera panned towards the dressing area, revealing Parag using a vape. Given that vaping is prohibited in India, this incident has sparked significant discussion.

Team Performance vs. Captain's Form

Under Parag's leadership, Rajasthan Royals have been performing well this season, consistently remaining in the top four. However, his individual performance has not been impressive, scoring only 117 runs in the nine matches played so far. Fans raised questions after he was seen vaping immediately following his dismissal in the match against Punjab.

Previous Incidents in IPL

This is not the first time a cricketer has been seen vaping or smoking during a match. In 2020, Aaron Finch was also caught vaping during the IPL when the tournament was held in the UAE. Additionally, in January 2026, a player was filmed vaping in the stadium during the SA20 League, where vaping is not banned.

Smoking Incidents in World Cups

There have been similar instances in the cricketing world. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum revealed that he smoked in the toilet during the 2015 World Cup semi-final. Similarly, England all-rounder Ben Stokes admitted to smoking in the washroom during the 2019 World Cup final at Lord's.

Penalty Imposed on Riyan Parag

The incident involving Riyan Parag occurred during the 40th match of the IPL between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings. Following the video evidence of him vaping in the dressing room, the IPL has deemed him guilty and imposed a fine of 25% of his match fee. Additionally, he has received one demerit point for violating Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which pertains to behavior that harms the image of the sport.