IPL 2026: Riyan Parag Caught Vaping in Dressing Room During Match

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has sparked a major controversy after footage of him allegedly vaping inside the dressing room went viral during their IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings. The incident occurred during the 16th over of Rajasthan’s run chase, with Parag seen vaping alongside teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal — all captured on the live broadcast.

A Serious Legal Concern

The act has drawn sharp criticism because e-cigarettes and vapes are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019. The law prohibits the production, sale, purchase, and use of such devices, with violations attracting fines and potential imprisonment. Smoking is also strictly prohibited inside dressing rooms and stadium premises except in designated areas.

This is not Rajasthan Royals’ first brush with controversy this season. Team manager Romi Bhinder was earlier warned and fined for using a phone in the dugout, violating PMOA protocol.

A Growing List of Offenders

Parag’s case adds to a lengthy roster of high-profile cricket incidents. In 2020, Aaron Finch was filmed vaping during an IPL match, while AB de Villiers was recently caught on camera vaping in the VIP stands during an SA20 game. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum admitted to smoking during the 2015 World Cup semi-final, and Ben Stokes confessed to doing the same during the 2019 World Cup final. This IPL season, Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada was also embroiled in a separate smoking controversy.

With the IPL under intense global scrutiny, incidents like these raise urgent questions about player accountability and enforcement within cricket’s biggest league.