Rajasthan Royals (RR) have found themselves in a tough situation after a surprising moment was caught on live TV during their IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur. Captain Riyan Parag, who was already having a mixed season with the bat, is now in the spotlight for a shocking incident.
Cameras caught Riyan Parag “vaping” inside the Rajasthan Royals dressing room during the live IPL 2026 clash against PBKS on April 28, and the clip went viral everywhere.
Camera caught Riyan Parag’s “Vaping” moment during live IPL 2026 match
As the camera panned to the RR dressing room, Parag was seen taking a puff. Later, he came out and played a quick cameo of 29 runs off 16 balls, helping his team chase a big total of 223. But everyone ignored his knock and talked only about that one “vaping” moment.
This became a big issue because e-cigarettes have been banned in India since 2019. The law clearly says using, selling, or promoting such products can lead to strict punishment. So, when the young IPL captain was seen doing this openly on live TV, it turned into a major controversy within minutes.
BCCI likely to take action against Riyan Parag
Social media was full of reactions. Some fans were shocked, while others criticized the act, saying players at this level should be more careful. The RR has yet to comment on Riyan Parag’s controversy, but it is being said that the BCCI may be forced to take action for his careless act.
A close IPL source was quoted as saying by PTI: “A lot of players consume e-cigarettes, but they don’t do it in the dressing room. It is too risky and careless to be doing that with so many cameras around. The BCCI may have to take action due to Parag’s open vaping.”
Captains already raised questions over dressing room privacy before IPL 2026
Meanwhile, the Riyan Parag incident has brought back the discussion about dressing room privacy. An IPL source revealed that some team captains had already expressed concerns about cameras capturing footage of the dressing room during live matches at the Captains Meet before the start of the ongoing IPL 2026.
Players feel the dressing room should be a private space, but broadcasters show everything during the IPL matches. Still, the IPL and BCCI reportedly felt that players have to be extra careful no matter what because they are always being watched, referring to the “vaping” controversy.
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BCCI helpless, but Riyan Parag slammed for carelessness
The source said, “It was not specifically related to the use of e-cigarettes in the dressing room. It was broadly around their players’ privacy. There are times when players are not fully dressed in the dressing room or may want to avoid cameras.”
He added, “They were told that it is up to the broadcaster and not the BCCI to decide over cameras showing the feed from the dressing room. After this incident, it perhaps may be reviewed. Having said that, it was careless from Parag, and it is difficult to defend something like this. An elite athlete caught smoking like this is not setting a good example for the public.”
Parag’s image takes a big hit
Notably, e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is addictive and not good for health, and when a professional athlete is seen doing it without any hesitation, it can influence young fans in the wrong way. This incident has put Parag under a serious storm in the middle of IPL 2026, and now all eyes are on the BCCI to see whether they take any action against the young all-rounder.
