Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is likely to escape serious action from Indian Premier League (IPL) organizers after he was caught vaping in the dressing room during Tuesday’s match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Sources told India Today that Parag will be fined 25 percent of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct, classified as a Level 1 offence. He is to be punished for bringing the game into disrepute.
The incident was reported by the match officials after the visuals emerged The captain vaped during Rajasthan’s run.
A Level 1 offense is the lowest category of infraction, usually involving lunging on the field, excessive celebration, or minor dissent. Such offenses usually result in a fine of up to 50 percent of the match fee and one demerit point.
Controversy erupted during the 16th over as Rajasthan chased 223, a match they eventually won by six wickets. Despite the win, attention shifted to Parago’s behavior as footage quickly went viral on social media.
The incident sparked immediate outrage on the internet, with fans and observers calling out the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). take a firmer stance. Many pointed out that as a senior professional and team leader, Parag set a bad example for the younger players in the team, including 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Critics have also pointed out that vaping is banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) of 2019, which bans the manufacture, sale and use of such devices.
Social media users have urged the BCCI to enforce stricter disciplinary action, arguing that a mere fine does not address the gravity of the legal and ethical breach in a shared team environment.
This is the second breach of protocol for Rajasthan Royals this season, after the recent incident where team manager Romi Bhinder was fined for using a mobile phone in the basement.
While Rajasthan Royals endured a controversial first half off the field, the former champions delivered on it. There are currently 10 teams in the top four of the points table with 12 points from nine matches. Rajasthan Royals will next face Delhi Capitals in Jaipur.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
30 Apr 2026 13:31 IST
