24-year-old Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag came into limelight during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in New Chandigarh on Tuesday (April 28). A video showing him allegedly smoking vape in the RR dressing room went viral on social media.
The incident took place in the 16th over of the second innings, when a broadcast camera momentarily captured Parag using what appeared to be a vape. This footage quickly went viral, with many fans expressing concern and demanding action. This moment attracted even more attention, because it happened right when Parag was out, he had scored 29 runs in 16 balls, but he failed to take his innings forward at a crucial moment while chasing the target.
Riyan Parag Smoking VAPE in dressing room 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EbIMI5qHxK
— Liam Livingstone (@NightmareOP9) April 28, 2026
The video began going viral on social media, raising questions about possible disciplinary measures. Although there is no explicit public rule against the use of vapes, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strict guidelines for player behavior within stadiums. The use of tobacco or related products in the dressing room or dugout is generally prohibited under health and safety protocols, leaving Riyan Parag at risk of a penalty.
This controversy has come to light at a time when the young player is already facing challenges. After Sanju Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings, he is leading Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 season. Parag is struggling to maintain consistency in his batting. Before this match, he had scored only 81 runs in 7 innings, due to which he had to face criticism from fans and former players.
Despite the off-field turmoil, Rajasthan Royals successfully chased down the target of 223 runs with six wickets to spare, defeating Punjab Kings and handing them their first defeat of the season.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs 1 lakh and also given an official warning for using a mobile phone inside the dugout during the IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on April 10.
Also read:
Stir before elections: Election Commission transfers Joint BDO of Falta
Measles outbreak in Bangladesh: Over 250 dead
Bengal elections: 40 percent voting till 11 am amid violence and uproar in the last phase
Comments are closed.