Rajasthan Royals are dealing with back-to-back off-field issues, and this time the focus is on captain Riyan Parag.
Parag caught vaping during match
Broadcast visuals appeared to show Parag using a vape inside the dressing room during the chase, with teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal nearby. The timing around the 16th over and the setting have raised immediate questions.
Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, e-cigarettes are banned in India. The law prohibits their production, sale, possession and use, with penalties that can include fines and imprisonment. Beyond legality, smoking or vaping is not allowed in dressing rooms or stadium premises except in designated areas.
For a current IPL captain, this puts the spotlight firmly on conduct. The BCCI has previously acted on similar breaches, and sources suggest this may not be treated lightly.
Earlier dugout breach adds to scrutiny
This is not an isolated incident for Rajasthan Royals this season. Earlier, team manager Romi Bhinder was found using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match, which goes against league protocols.
That incident was also picked up on broadcast. After review, the BCCI issued a warning and imposed a fine. Dugout communication rules are strict to prevent any external input during games.
Two separate breaches in a short span now raise concerns about how closely protocols are being followed within the setup.
Match context and wider concerns
Rajasthan Royals scripted a record-breaking chase at Mullanpur, cruising to 228/4 to secure a six-wicket win over Punjab Kings and hand them their first defeat of the season. The daunting 223-run target never truly felt out of reach.
The vaping incident came during a live run-chase, not in a private or off-field setting. That matters. It reflects decision-making under match pressure and in full public view.
There are also broader concerns. Unlike cigarettes, vaping substances are less transparent in composition. For a professional athlete, that adds a layer of risk around health and compliance.
Rajasthan Royals may now have to respond formally. The captain’s actions, combined with the earlier dugout lapse, leave the franchise under scrutiny at a crucial stage of the tournament.