Punjab Kings' Chahal faces fresh scrutiny after viral flight clip shows vaping gesture

A viral clip from the Punjab Kings' travel vlog has ignited fresh controversy after spinner Yuzvendra Chahal appeared to mimic a vaping gesture on a flight to Hyderabad. The footage, which surfaced from a behind-the-scenes upload by teammate Arshdeep Singh, shows Chahal seated by the window alongside Shashank Singh making a puffing motion before coughing. This moment has triggered immediate online outrage, drawing sharp comparisons to the recent Riyan Parag vaping scandal that has heightened scrutiny of cricketers' habits.

While social media users initially slammed the spinner for allegedly vaping onboard, a closer examination of the footage has led to alternative interpretations. Several eagle-eyed observers noted that Chahal seemed to be holding a spray or mist device rather than an actual vape, suggesting the gesture was a playful dig at the ongoing discourse surrounding player conduct. The Punjab Kings' travel vlog segment has since been removed from the live version of the video on Arshdeep's YouTube channel, though a clipped recording of the incident continues to circulate widely across social media platforms.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened sensitivity regarding lifestyle choices within the sport. Chahal, a 35-year-old spinner playing in IPL 2026 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, recently clarified his personal habits to former teammate AB de Villiers. Speaking on the former star's YouTube channel, Chahal revealed that he quit alcohol more than six months ago in a bid to improve fitness and manage injuries better ahead of the upcoming season.

This latest controversy contrasts with a separate, unrelated clip that previously went viral alleging Chahal was smoking while driving a luxury vehicle. However, The Times of India could not independently verify the authenticity of that earlier footage, leaving the veracity of such claims unconfirmed. The current debate remains speculative, with the full extent of the gesture and whether it was an intentional commentary on the Parag controversy still open to interpretation.

As the clip continues to spread, the focus remains on the ambiguity of the moment captured on camera. Whether Chahal was genuinely vaping or merely engaging in a prank-style act to reference the broader vaping scandal remains unconfirmed. The removal of the segment from the original upload suggests an awareness of the potential backlash, yet the persistence of the clipped version ensures the discussion will likely continue among fans and media outlets alike.