A video clip surfaced online during the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 match that stopped cricket fans mid-scroll. The clip, taken from the live broadcast, appears to show Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag inside the dressing room holding what many viewers identified as a vaping device. Within hours, the video had spread across every major social media platform and debate was in full swing.
But before jumping to conclusions, it is worth asking — what do we actually know for certain?
The visuals did come from a real live broadcast. The camera panned to the RR dressing room after Parag’s dismissal, and something was clearly visible in his hand. Multiple news outlets picked up the clip and reported it widely. That part is not disputed. What remains unconfirmed is whether what he was holding was actually a vaping device or something else entirely. Neither Riyan Parag, nor the Rajasthan Royals franchise, nor the BCCI have officially responded to the claims so far.
Also Read: Watch Riyan Parag Vaping Video
What the Law Says
Regardless of what it was, the conversation around this clip has raised a very important legal point. Vaping is completely banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, PECA 2019. The law prohibits the production, sale, purchase, import, export and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vaping devices across the country. Violations can result in imprisonment and hefty fines. Beyond that, smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited inside dressing rooms and stadium premises, except in specially designated areas.
So if the clip does show what people are claiming it shows, it is not just an image problem for Parag — it is a potential legal issue.
Verdict
Partly Verified. The clip is real and it did come from a live IPL broadcast. However, whether Parag was definitely vaping has not been officially confirmed by any authoritative source. No statement has come from the player, his team, or the board. Until there is an official response or investigation, it would be unfair to treat this as fully established fact.
What is certain though is that this controversy has come at the worst possible time for Parag. He has been struggling badly for runs in IPL 2026, the captaincy pressure is visible, and now this episode has put him under a completely different kind of spotlight.
The BCCI and IPL owe fans a clear and transparent response. Silence is simply not good enough when Indian law may be involved.
