A vaping controversy involving Riyan Parag grabs headlines in this cricket news in India, raising fresh questions about player conduct and discipline in IPL 2026. A cloud of disapproval followed Rajasthan's skipper Riyan Parag after footage showed him using a vape mid-match under the Mullanpur lights. 25 per cent of his match earnings was taken as punishment, handed down following Tuesday night's match.
He was caught between overs; he puffed just before returning to fielding duties. Reaction bloomed fast across online platforms, where opinions tangled sharply. What seemed like a private moment ignited talk about how players should act when millions are watching.
Later, video footage brought the incident into view, though umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not flagged it at first. Because of that review, match referee Amit Sharma ruled Parag broke the IPL's conduct rules.
Code of conduct breach brings a penalty and a warning for Riyan Parag
A cloud hung over the match when officials noted Parag's actions off the field. Though play continued, attention shifted to what unfolded behind closed doors. During a break in the second half of action, cameras caught him with an electronic device near his mouth. That moment triggered a review under conduct rules tied to image and respect for the sport. Officials pointed to clause 2.21, saying such acts taint how cricket is viewed by fans.
Not just words were exchanged, penalties followed swiftly. A financial penalty landed on his name alongside a mark against future behaviour. One point now sits on record, part of a system tracking missteps. What seemed brief on screen carried weight once examined closely. No warning came before the decision.
Out in the open now, Riyan Parag owned up to what happened, taking the penalty without pushing back, so no full hearing was required since it's counted as a basic-level slip. With cameras everywhere these days and every move watched online, the BCCI might dig deeper just to keep things looking clean on their end.
Also Read: Happy Birthday Rohit Sharma: Revisiting the Hitman’s Untouchable Records
Back in 2019, India drew a hard line, e-cigarettes vanished from shelves, and factories fell silent. Making them, selling them, moving them. All off-limits now. Getting caught means jail time or steep fees. That sting grows sharper when it happens where fans watch games unfold.
Out in the open again, another issue has drawn attention toward the Royals this year. Before now, their coach, Romi Bhinder, got penalised when he used a mobile device inside the playing area mid-game. Seen on camera, his move broke set rules. What Riyan Parag did draws similar remarks, officials calling it thoughtless, knowing every moment gets filmed in the IPL.
Even with chaos swirling outside the game, the Rajasthan Royals still managed to beat the Punjab Kings, snapping their winning streak. Yet questions linger about Parag's batting performance just before they line up against the Delhi Capitals again.
