Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has found himself at the center of a major controversy during the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2026, which could potentially lead to a jail term. During the team's ninth league stage match against Punjab Kings at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh, Parag was allegedly caught on camera using an e-cigarette, commonly known as vaping, in the dressing room, while this incident occurred after he played an innings of 29 runs off 16 balls in a match that Rajasthan Royals eventually won by 6 wickets. The video of the act quickly went viral on social media, prompting potential disciplinary action from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Legal Implications Under the 2019 Prohibition Act
The act of vaping is a serious legal offense in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The Indian government imposed a total ban on the production, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes in 2019. According to the provisions of this law, any individual found guilty of a first-time offense can face imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both. BCCI officials have labeled Parag's actions as a highly negligent act in an era of intense social media and television camera surveillance. A reliable IPL source informed the news agency PTI that while some players are known to use e-cigarettes, doing so within the dressing room in full view of cameras is considered extremely risky and irresponsible.
Privacy Concerns and Captains' Meeting in Mumbai
The incident has also reignited discussions regarding player privacy in the dressing room, while another IPL source revealed that during a captains' meeting in Mumbai prior to the current tournament, several captains had raised objections to cameras being pointed toward the dressing rooms during live broadcasts. While these objections were primarily focused on general privacy—such as players not being fully dressed or wanting to avoid cameras—the source noted that Parag's actions are difficult to defend. It was clarified to the players that the decision to broadcast dressing room footage rests with the broadcaster rather than the BCCI, though this policy may undergo a review following the recent event.
Broadcaster's Role and Future Review
Riyan Parag's vaping incident has rapidly become a major talking point, with all eyes now on the BCCI's next steps. An IPL source mentioned that catching a top-tier player smoking in such a manner sets a poor example for the public, and the BCCI may be compelled to take formal action following this open violation. The source further added that the decision-making regarding cameras showing dressing room footage is the broadcaster's domain, but this incident might lead to a comprehensive review of the current practices.
According to the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019, no person shall directly or indirectly produce, manufacture, import, export, transport, sell, or distribute e-cigarettes, nor shall they participate in any advertisement that promotes their use. The viral footage of the Rajasthan Royals captain has now put the spotlight on the enforcement of these regulations within the high-profile environment of the IPL.