From Paragu to de Villiers – Cricketers caught on camera smoking and vaping (X) Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has found himself at the center of a major controversy after footage of him allegedly vaping in the dressing room during their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings went viral on social media.The incident occurred during Rajasthan’s 16th over when Parag was seen casually vaping while sitting next to teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Footage captured during the live broadcast quickly spread online and sparked widespread debate.The law has raised serious concerns, especially as smoking is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and stadium areas, except in designated areas. More importantly, e-cigarettes and vapes are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019, which bans their manufacture, sale, purchase and use. Violations may be punishable, including fines and imprisonment.This is not the first time Rajasthan Royals has been embroiled in controversy this season. Earlier, team manager Romi Bhinder was warned and fined after she was caught using her phone in the underground shelter, which is against PMOA protocol.Parag’s case also adds to the growing list of cricketers who have been caught in similar situations over the years.In 2020, a short clip of Aaron Finch during an IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru went viral. The former Australian captain was seen exhaling smoke and taking another puff before the broadcast cut to the live action, but the moment was enough to go viral on social media.Recently, during an SA20 match earlier this year, cameras caught AB de Villiers vaping in the VIP stands. The footage caused a stir, with the former South African star looking visibly taken aback after realizing she was on the big screen. While these incidents involved vaping, there were also instances where players admitted to smoking. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum revealed he smoked in the toilet during the 2015 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, while England all-rounder Ben Stokes said he smoked in the Lord’s Toilet during the 2019 World Cup final.In another instance this IPL season, Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada was embroiled in controversy after a video allegedly caught him smoking a cigarette from a hotel balcony, though the incident did not take place inside the stadium premises. With many similar incidents involving high-profile players, Parag’s latest controversy is likely to intensify discussions about player conduct, regulations and enforcement, especially in a league as high-profile as the IPL.
