Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has landed in hot water after TV cameras captured him using an e-cigarette inside the dressing room during his team’s IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday night.
The footage, broadcast during the live telecast, showed Parag inhaling from an e-cigarette, commonly known as vaping, while the match was in progress. The clip spread rapidly across social media, drawing widespread criticism from fans and experts alike.
The controversy carries serious legal weight. India banned e-cigarettes in 2019 under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, outlawing their production, sale, and distribution. Under the law, a first-time offender can face imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine of Rs one lakh.
Netizens took to social media demanding swift action from the BCCI, with many calling for Parag to be dropped from the team as a strong message.
IPL insiders, however, pointed to a broader culture within the sport. A well-placed source told PTI that while many players use e-cigarettes, doing so openly in the dressing room during a live broadcast was “too risky and careless,” and that the BCCI might now be forced to act.
This is not the first controversy surrounding the Royals this season. Team manager Romi Bhinder was earlier fined Rs one lakh for using his phone in the dugout in violation of PMOA protocol.
Despite the off-field drama, Parag contributed a 16-ball 29 as Rajasthan successfully chased down Punjab’s target of 223. Neither the BCCI nor Rajasthan Royals officials had issued an official statement at the time of publication.
