Riyan Parag Penalised for Vaping During IPL 2026 Match vs PBKS
Disciplinary Blow for Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag Fined for Dressing Room Infraction
In a surprising turn of events during the IPL 2026 season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag has been sanctioned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The disciplinary action comes after the captain was caught using a vape inside the dressing room during the team’s recent fixture against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in New Chandigarh.
The incident has cast a shadow over an otherwise successful outing for the Royals, who displayed immense batting prowess to chase down a formidable target of 222, securing victory with four balls remaining in the match. However, the celebrations were short-lived as the match referee and the league’s governing body turned their attention to a breach of conduct occurring behind the scenes.
The Details of the Sanction
According to an official statement released by the BCCI on Thursday, Riyan Parag was found to have breached Article 2.21 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. This specific article pertains to conduct that is deemed to bring the game into disrepute. The BCCI maintains a strict stance on the image of the league, and the use of vaping devices within the professional environment of the dressing room was viewed as a violation of these standards.
As a result of the infringement, Parag has been handed the following penalties:
- A fine of 25% of his match fee.
- One demerit point added to his disciplinary record.
The BCCI confirmed that Parag admitted to the offence and accepted the sanctions imposed by the match referee, Amit Sharma. While the captain has accepted the penalty, the league is not yet finished with its inquiry.
BCCI Warns of Stringent Action
What makes this incident particularly concerning for the Rajasthan Royals franchise is the BCCI’s indication that this may not be the end of the matter. In its statement, the governing body revealed that it is currently “exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action”. This investigation could potentially extend beyond the player to include the erring team and its officials.
The BCCI’s primary objective is to ensure that the reputation of the Indian Premier League remains intact. As a global sporting brand, the IPL demands a high level of professionalism from its athletes and support staff, and any action perceived as undermining the prestige of the competition is met with scrutiny.
A Pattern of Protocol Breaches at RR
This is not the first time the Rajasthan Royals have faced disciplinary hurdles in the current season. The Parag incident occurs less than two weeks after RR team manager Romi Bhinder was fined INR 1 lakh. Bhinder’s infraction took place during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10 in Guwahati, where he was caught using his mobile phone in the team dugout.
Bhinder’s actions were in contravention of Article 4.1.1 of the IPL players’ and match officials’ area protocols. Although Bhinder offered an unconditional apology and claimed the breach was inadvertent, the league maintained its penalty. At the time, a media release stated that Bhinder had been warned to exercise greater care and to adhere strictly to established guidelines in the future.
The Role of Social Media in Modern Policing
Interestingly, both the incident involving Romi Bhinder and the one involving Riyan Parag came to light through the power of social media. In Bhinder’s case, photos of him on his phone—with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi standing beside him—were uploaded to social platforms shortly after the match. Similarly, images of Parag vaping surfaced online not long after the conclusion of the game against PBKS.
This highlights the increasing difficulty for players and officials to maintain privacy in the highly monitored environment of the IPL. With cameras and smartphones ubiquitous, the “closed-door” nature of the dressing room is increasingly permeable, making strict adherence to the Code of Conduct more critical than ever for those leading the team.
