R Ashwin sympathized with Riyan Parag over the vaping row that the Rajasthan Royals skipper swallowed, but admitted the batsman deserved to be penalized for his actions. Parag came under the scanner for a while off the field during the RR vs PBKS clash.
Parag was seen smoking an e-cigarette during the match and the moment was captured by TV stations and quickly became a viral moment on social media.
The footage emerged during the 16th over of Rajasthan’s chase of 223 at Mullanpur on 28 April. Viewers were quick to notice the clip and it soon gained attention online and became a major topic of discussion among fans.
Parag was fined 25 percent of the match fees and received one minus point but escaped a ban. Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that it was something that could have been avoided.
“I think this is absolutely a situation that could have been avoided. I want players to not get caught up in things like that. I really don’t want that in a young player and it’s a bit sensitive as well. I think in all quadrants, looking at so many things, it could have been avoided.” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin said there is a fine line between personal choice and public responsibility and pointed out that Parag is the captain of the team in the IPL and has a responsibility towards the young players in the league who look up to players like him.
“Sometimes it happens that it’s a personal choice, but your personal choice should be in your personal space. If you do all this in a public space, it’s very avoidable. I’ll just say this: it’s my little advice as an older brother. I want to tell Riyan Parag that whatever happens in your personal life, no one cares.”
“Nobody can say anything about it. But whatever you do, do it in your personal space because you are the captain, you are the leader of the franchise. You are probably an inspiration to many cricketers, many young people, many young Indians and young people around the world. So there is some responsibility there as well,” Ashwin said.
THIS THING SHOULD BE AVOIDED
Ashwin said that we should avoid such things though he empathizes with Parag. Former spinner
“I feel my deepest empathy and sympathy for that young child, but at the same time I absolutely believe that all of these things should and can be avoided,” he added.
“It can’t be easy, man. In today’s world, I also sometimes read something and think, man, sometimes it happens. I’m not saying that these things should be swept under the rug, because if no action is taken, no one will learn from it. But it’s better to avoid these things,” he concluded.
Parag has had a disappointing tournament with the bat, managing just 117 runs from nine matches at an average of 14.62 and a strike rate of 124.46, with a top score of 29.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
01 May 2026 19:08 IST
