Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has slammed the Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal over the vaping controversy. He has also demanded more stringent action to be taken against the cricketer, even to the extent of putting him behind bars.
IPL 2026 has faced several massive controversies, and the one that has come to the forefront recently is Yuzvendra Chahal’s vaping on a flight while travelling alongside the Punjab Kings squad.
This video came to light after being clipped from Arshdeep Singh’s vlog with one of his teammates in the PBKS squad.
“Yuzvendra Chahal should be behind bars”
Days after the controversial incident, former Indian spin bowler Laxman Sivaramakrishnan slammed Yuzvendra Chahal, claiming that the spin bowling maestro should be behind bars for such a violation of the law.
Though the authenticity of the video clip is yet to be verified by any reliable sources and any official word yet to come from the end of the player or the Punjab Kings management, the internet has been split between opinions in favour as well as against the PBKS star.
“Vape is banned in India. Should be behind bars. What is the point in having laws and not implementing them? 25% of match fees is peanuts. What if a regular person had done this? What would the action be?” said Sivaramakrishnan on X.
PBKS banned Arshdeep Singh from shooting vlogs with the PBKS squad
A X user recently rumoured that Arshdeep Singh, the player whose vlog had revealed the scenes featuring Yuzvendra Chahal, which led to the massive revelation, has been banned from making vlogs any further with the PBKS squad. He also claimed that Yuzvendra Chahal has walked away without any strict warning.
Sivaramakrishnan’s idea of a 25% fine was based on the precedent of Riyan Parag, who was also caught in the same act a few weeks back in a match against the Punjab Kings. Parag was fined 25% of his match fees and was reprimanded for his actions.
Anyway, the BCCI has now sought to ban shooting videos or vlogs within the dressing rooms, team hotels, or buses, and under that, Arshdeep might not be allowed to continue with his vlogs after every match with the Punjab Kings.
BCCI issues a strict ultimatum against the use of vapes or e-cigarettes
The BCCI has resorted to taking some strict measures and has issued a new set of directives for the IPL teams as well as the players, where they have put a ban on vaping at all venues, dugouts, and dressing rooms.
“Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to BCCI’s attention. It is pertinent to note that vapes and electronic cigarettes are prohibited under applicable Indian law. Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.
“Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities,” wrote BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
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