Yuzvendra Chahal of Punjab Kings (ANI photo) Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been embroiled in controversy after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed him vaping during a team flight. The clip, which has gone viral online, appears to show Chahal trying to cover up the act while sitting next to teammate Shashank Singh. The footage is said to have been taken from a podcast video shared by Arshdeep Singh.However, it is important to note that the authenticity of the video and whether Chahal was actually using an e-cigarette has not been independently verified.
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Why Suryakumar Yadav Will Lose India T20I Captaincy: Everything You Need To KnowThe incident drew a strong reaction from former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who demanded stiffer punishments if the allegations were found to be true. Responding to the social media post, Sivaramakrishnan pointed out that vaping products are banned in India and questioned the effectiveness of the sanctions currently in place.
contributed by Laxman Sivaramakrishnan
“Vape is banned in India. He should be behind bars. What’s the point of having laws and not enforcing them. 25% of match fees are peanuts. What if a normal person did that, what would be the action?” wrote on X.His remarks also referred to the recent punishment given to Riyan Parag. Earlier in the tournament, the Rajasthan Royals captain was fined 25 percent of his match fees after he was caught vaping in the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings.The controversy comes shortly after the BCCI circulated a detailed directive regarding tournament conduct to all IPL franchises. In a statement, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reminded teams that vapes and e-cigarettes are banned under Indian law and strictly prohibited at IPL venues, team hotels, dressing rooms and training facilities.
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“Instances of vaping in dressing rooms and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to BCCI’s attention,” Saikia wrote in an official statement.“Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes and all banned substances is strictly prohibited in all IPL tournaments, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and training facilities,” he added.
