The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken action against Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag after a video of him vaping in the dressing room went viral during the IPL 2026 season.
The incident occurred during the 16th over of the second innings while Rajasthan were chasing a target of 223. As the broadcast focused on the dressing room for reaction shots, Parag was seen taking a puff from what appeared to be an e-cigarette, with teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel visible nearby.
Though the Royals went on to secure a six-wicket victory, the result was quickly overshadowed by intense debate surrounding their captain’s off-field conduct.
The clip spread rapidly across social media, drawing widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike. Netizens demanded action from the BCCI, citing India’s Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, which bans the production, sale, distribution, and use of e-cigarettes in the country.
The law carries penalties that can include fines and, in some cases, imprisonment of up to six months for related offences. While personal use in private spaces rarely leads to prosecution, the highly public setting of a live IPL broadcast amplified the controversy.
Insiders indicated the matter is being dealt with under the IPL Code of Conduct, with a source noting that there is no defined punishment under the existing rules, and that the BCCI was seeking legal opinion on the matter.
The incident has raised broader questions about player conduct and accountability, especially for those in leadership roles.
