Nothing is going right for Riyan Parag as a player. The Rajasthan Royals captain was caught on camera vaping inside the dressing room during the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 match. The broadcast cameras panned to the dressing room after his dismissal and captured something nobody expected to see. The clip went viral within minutes and the internet has been going crazy ever since.
What makes this even more serious is that vaping is completely illegal in India. As per the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019, the production, sale, purchase, import, export and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vapes is strictly banned across the country. Violations can lead to imprisonment and hefty fines. So this is not just a matter of bad optics — it could actually have legal consequences for the RR captain.
On top of that, smoking is completely prohibited inside dressing rooms and stadium premises, except in designated areas. Parag was clearly not in any such area when the cameras caught him.
Watch the Video of Riyan Parag Vaping in Dressing Room
Fans are now asking one big question — will the BCCI and IPL take strict action? There has been no official response from Parag, the Rajasthan Royals, or the BCCI so far. But given that a banned substance under Indian law was allegedly involved, it will be very hard for authorities to simply look the other way.
This is also not the first time something like this has happened in the IPL. Kagiso Rabada was previously spotted smoking alongside a few Gujarat Titans players, and that incident too made headlines. However, no strong action was taken at that time, which disappointed many fans. This time, the pressure to act is much greater.
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What makes the whole situation even more unfortunate for Parag is his current form. He has had a really tough IPL 2026 season with the bat. Runs have not come, confidence looks low, and leading the side as captain has added more pressure on his young shoulders. He got out early in this match as well, and it was that very dismissal that led cameras to the dressing room — and to this controversy.
Things are just not going right for Riyan Parag right now, both on and off the field. He needs to address this issue publicly and clear the air as soon as possible. The fans, the board, and the entire cricket community are watching and waiting for answers.
