IPL 2026: Riyan Parag vaping incident in dressing room breaches national law and league rules

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has become the centre of a significant controversy after viral footage showed him vaping inside the team dressing room during an IPL 2026 match against the Punjab Kings. The incident occurred specifically during the 16th over of Rajasthan's run chase, with Parag seen using a vape device while seated alongside teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Footage captured during the live broadcast quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking immediate debate regarding player conduct and rule enforcement within the league.

This behaviour breaches IPL regulations which prohibit smoking and vaping in dressing rooms and stadium premises. Furthermore, the act violates the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which bans vaping across India. Under the legislation, violations can attract penalties including fines and imprisonment, raising serious concerns about the legality of the conduct observed on camera. The footage has highlighted the tension between high-profile player behaviour and strict legal frameworks governing the use of electronic cigarettes in the country.

The incident adds to a series of player conduct controversies in the league, following previous infractions by various high-profile players and officials. Earlier this season, Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was warned and fined after being caught using a phone in the dugout, a violation of PMOA protocol. Parag's case extends this pattern of disciplinary issues, suggesting that regulatory breaches have become a recurring theme in the tournament's governance.

The controversy also recalls a history of similar situations involving prominent cricketers over the years. In 2020, a short clip of Aaron Finch vaping during a match went viral, while more recently, cameras captured AB de Villiers vaping in the VIP stands during an SA20 match. These instances, along with admissions by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes regarding smoking in public facilities during World Cup matches, have kept the issue of player conduct in the spotlight.

In another instance this IPL season, Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada was drawn into controversy after a video allegedly showed him smoking a cigarette from a hotel balcony, though that incident did not occur within stadium premises. With multiple such incidents involving high-profile players, Parag's latest controversy is likely to intensify discussions around player conduct, regulations, and enforcement, particularly in a league as high-profile as the IPL.