Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been penalised by the BCCI after he was seen vaping in his team’s dressing room during a live broadcast of an IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings. Parag admitted to the offence and has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee.
Additionally, one demerit point has been added to his disciplinary record for breaching Level 1 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, the BCCI said the 24-year-old batter engaged in conduct that brought “the game into disrepute.”
“Riyan was found to have breached Article 2.21 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute,” the BCCI stated.
The incident occurred during the second innings, when Riyan was seen using a vape inside the dressing room in Mullanpur.
The sanctions were imposed by match referee Amit Sharma.
The BCCI also said it is exploring further options to initiate stricter proceedings against the team, its officials, and player(s) involved, to ensure the reputation of the IPL remains intact.
Yes, vaping is illegal in India, and violations can invite serious consequences, including imprisonment and financial penalties.
E-cigarettes were banned by the Indian government in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale, and distribution. A first-time offender may face imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
