Kamal Ghorui
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has found himself at the centre of a major controversy after visuals of him allegedly vaping inside the dressing room during their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings went viral on social media.The incident occurred during the 16th over of Rajasthan’s run chase, when Parag was seen casually vaping while seated alongside teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The footage, captured during the live broadcast, quickly spread online and sparked widespread debate.The act has raised serious concerns, particularly because smoking is strictly prohibited inside dressing rooms and stadium premises, except in designated areas. More importantly, e-cigarettes and vapes are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which prohibits their production, sale, purchase, and use. Violations can attract penalties, including fines and imprisonment.This is not the first time Rajasthan Royals have been embroiled in controversy this season. Earlier, team manager Romi Bhinder was warned and fined after being caught using a phone in the dugout, in violation of PMOA protocol.Parag’s case also adds to a growing list of cricketers who have been caught in similar situations over the years.Back in 2020, a short clip of Aaron Finch vaping during an IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru went viral. The Ex-Australian captain was seen exhaling smoke and taking another puff before the broadcast cut back to live action, but the moment was enough to spread rapidly across social media.More recently, during an SA20 match earlier this year, cameras captured AB de Villiers vaping in the VIP stands. The footage caused a stir, with the former South African star appearing visibly startled after realising he was on the big screen. While those incidents involved vaping, there have also been cases of players admitting to smoking. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum revealed he smoked in a toilet during the 2015 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, while England all-rounder Ben Stokes said he smoked in the Lord’s washroom during the 2019 World Cup final.In another instance this IPL season, Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada was drawn into controversy after a video allegedly showed him smoking a cigarette from a hotel balcony, though the incident did not occur within stadium premises. With multiple such incidents involving high-profile players, Parag’s latest controversy is likely to intensify discussions around player conduct, regulations, and enforcement, particularly in a league as high-profile as the IPL.
