Riyan Parag’s night, which should have been a moment of celebration, instead turned into controversy. The 24-year-old not only recorded his highest score in an otherwise disappointing season but also became the first captain to stop Punjab Kings’ winning run. However, the incident that followed raised questions about his decision-making and also put Rajasthan Royals’ commitment to rules under scrutiny.
Parag showed some good form with a quick and important 29 in New Chandigarh on Tuesday. His contribution, along with other key performances, helped Rajasthan end Punjab’s unbeaten streak and move to third place after a six-wicket win. The victory boosted the 2008 champions’ campaign and kept their playoff hopes alive.
However, attention later shifted to visuals of Parag allegedly vaping in the dressing room soon after his dismissal by Yuzvendra Chahal. As Donovan Ferreira and impact substitute Shubham Dubey continued the chase aggressively, Parag was seen taking a puff from the device, which was captured by the television cameras.
Although Yashasvi Jaiswal briefly blocked the view, the vapour was clearly visible, making the incident hard to ignore.
How Did a Vape Enter the RR Dressing Room?
The strong reaction from many quarters has largely been driven by moral concerns, but the matter goes beyond ethics. There are important legal aspects that cannot be overlooked. For instance, vaping or using e-cigarettes is illegal in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019.
This law bans the production, sale, purchase, import, export, and advertisement of e-cigarettes and vapes, with violations attracting imprisonment and heavy fines. Additionally, electronic devices, such as vapes, are generally not allowed in dressing rooms, especially those with recording or communication features.
That is why players and support staff usually hand over their mobile phones to team managers soon after arriving at the venue. This raises a key question: how did Parag, or anyone else, manage to bring a vape into the dressing room?
What’s happening in the ipl ?#PBKS#RR@IPL @BCCI
Riyan parag is using vape 😱😱😱😓 pic.twitter.com/xVXhb0LKZW— Vansh Goyal (@vanshgoyal0674) April 28, 2026
Just weeks ago, Rajasthan team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and warned for using a phone in the dugout, violating IPL rules. Despite that, the team appears to have repeated a similar lapse. Riyan Parag is now likely to face criticism for setting a poor example, along with possible strict action from authorities, who may not take the matter lightly given its public nature and legal implications.
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