Rajasthan Royals Captain Riyan Parag Fined for Vaping Incident

Riyan Parag Penalized for Code of Conduct Violation

Riyan Parag, the captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR), has faced disciplinary action from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for violating the IPL Code of Conduct. This incident occurred during the match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on April 28, where he was caught vaping in the dressing room.

Despite RR's victory over PBKS by six wickets, the match was marred by Parag's off-field behavior. He was seen using an e-cigarette while seated with teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal, as captured by the broadcast camera.

The PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) guidelines strictly prohibit smoking and vaping in designated areas, leading to controversy over Parag's actions and raising questions about player discipline in the IPL.

Financial Penalty Imposed on Riyan Parag

Following the incident, the BCCI has imposed a fine of 25% of Riyan Parag's match fee. This decision comes after he was found guilty of using a vape in the dressing room, constituting a Level 1 offence under the IPL's Code of Conduct.

An official statement from the IPL confirmed that Parag's actions brought 'disrepute to the game,' resulting in a fine and one demerit point. The statement read, "Riyan Parag, Captain of Rajasthan Royals, has been fined 25% of his match fee and has also accumulated one Demerit Point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL's Code of Conduct during Match No. 40 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Punjab Kings."

The violation occurred during the second innings when he was seen using the vape, breaching Article 2.21 of the IPL's Code of Conduct.

Fan Reactions to the Penalty

The leniency of the penalty has sparked significant debate among fans and cricket analysts. Many expected a harsher punishment, such as a match ban or suspension, but were surprised by the 25% fine.

Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with reactions questioning the BCCI's consistency in enforcing penalties. Critics highlighted perceived double standards, especially when comparing this incident to stricter fines imposed for on-field celebrations.

Fans expressed concerns over whether off-field conduct is being treated too leniently compared to visible infractions during matches, igniting discussions about the need for consistent disciplinary measures in the IPL.

BCCI's Ongoing Review of Disciplinary Actions

In light of this incident, the BCCI is considering further actions to uphold the integrity of the IPL. This follows a previous breach involving Rajasthan Royals' manager, Romi Bhinder, who was fined for using a phone in the dugout during a match.

The BCCI aims to ensure that the reputation of the IPL remains intact while addressing any violations by teams and players.