Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has landed in hot water after TV cameras caught him vaping in the dressing room during his team’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on Tuesday night.
The footage went viral instantly, and the BCCI has since sought a formal explanation from the 24-year-old. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019, Parag faces up to one year in prison and/or a ₹1 lakh fine for a first-time offence. E-cigarettes are completely banned in India.
What Exactly Did the Cameras Show?
During the live broadcast of the RR vs PBKS match, cameras panned to the dressing room and caught Parag inhaling from an e-cigarette while seated. He had already batted, scoring 29 off 16 balls in RR’s successful chase of 223.
The clip spread across social media within minutes. Fans, former cricketers, and health advocates all weighed in, with most criticising the young captain for setting a poor example. IPL sources described the act as “careless” and “difficult to defend.”
What Action Could BCCI Take?
The BCCI has already reached out to Parag seeking an explanation. Once he responds, the board will decide on the punishment.
According to a well-placed IPL source, the BCCI “might be forced to act” because vaping is illegal under Indian law, not just a code of conduct issue. The PECA 2019 bans the production, sale, distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes across India. First-time offenders face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of ₹1 lakh, or both.
However, whether the BCCI pursues a criminal route or handles it internally through a match fee fine and warning remains unclear. Past precedents suggest the board typically opts for financial penalties rather than pushing for legal prosecution.
Did Players Already Raise Dressing Room Privacy Concerns?
Interestingly, yes. During the Captains’ Meeting in Mumbai before IPL 2026, several captains raised objections about cameras panning to the dressing room during live broadcasts. They argued that constant surveillance catches players in awkward moments and invades their privacy.
However, BCCI officials dismissed the complaint at the time. They told the captains that camera placement and broadcast feeds are the broadcaster’s decision, not the board’s. After the Parag incident, sources suggest this policy may now be reviewed.
Still, an IPL source was blunt about it. “A lot of players consume e-cigarettes but they don’t do it in the dressing room,” the source said. “It is too risky and careless to be doing that with so many cameras around.”
Is This Rajasthan Royals’ Only Controversy This Season?
Not even close. The Parag vaping incident is actually the second disciplinary issue involving the franchise in IPL 2026.
Earlier this month, RR team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh for breaching PMOA (Player and Match Officials Area) protocol after being caught using his phone in the dugout. Phone usage in the dugout area is strictly prohibited under IPL regulations.
On the field, RR’s season hasn’t been smooth either. They’ve already lost Sam Curran for the entire tournament due to a groin injury, and Riyan Parag himself has struggled with the bat, averaging below 25 this season.
Now add a vaping controversy and a potential BCCI sanction to the mix, and Parag’s captaincy tenure is under pressure from every direction. Whether this incident results in a slap on the wrist or something more serious depends entirely on how the BCCI chooses to interpret the law versus their own code of conduct.
