Rajasthan Royals and its skipper Riyan Parag will be asked to explain their actions to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after he was seen vaping in the dressing room, a BCCI source told India Today. The incident occured in the aftermath of RR’s six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh on April 28.
The outcry follows a viral video capturing the cricketer vaping in the team dressing room during the Indian Premier League clash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, an act that has drawn heavy fire from fans and observers alike. The visuals quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting strong reactions and raising questions around player conduct and professionalism in high-profile tournaments.
The controversy erupted during a match that was otherwise a celebration of Rajasthan’s clinical brilliance. Chasing a massive 223, the Royals pulled off a sensational six-wicket victory with four balls to spare in what turned out to be one of the most thrilling contests of the season. While the spotlight should have remained on the blistering starts provided by Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (43), along with the composed and calculated finish by Donovan Ferreira (52), it was Parag’s off-field conduct that dominated the post-match headlines and shifted the narrative away from the team’s on-field heroics.
While there has been no official announcement on punishment so far, reports suggest the matter is currently under review by the BCCI, and further action could follow depending on the findings. The incident has once again highlighted the strict code of conduct expected from players and team staff, especially in a tournament as closely monitored as the IPL, where even minor breaches can attract scrutiny.
The 24-year-old, who replaced Sanju Samson as the franchise’s new captain this season following the latter’s trade to Chennai Super Kings for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, was one of the franchise’s five retained players ahead of the mega auction in November 2024. Despite being entrusted with leadership responsibilities, the RR skipper has endured a sub-optimal season so far with the bat, amassing just 117 runs at an average of 14.63 and a strike rate of 124.47, leading to growing criticism of both his form and decision-making.
IS THIS RR’S FIRST BREACH?
Additionally, this is not the first time Rajasthan Royals have been involved in a controversy leading to BCCI intervention this season. This marks the second breach of the code of conduct by the franchise and its staff, as team manager Romi Bhinder was earlier caught by TV cameras using a phone inside the dugout during their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati, which also sparked debate around adherence to league protocols.
Bhinder was later cleared by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) with a warning and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. The board had asked its ACSU wing to probe the matter, and the security unit did not find any serious wrongdoing, treating it as a minor breach rather than a major violation.
According to an IPL statement, Bhinder had breached the BCCI IPL PMOA protocols during the match. Rajasthan Royals will next take on Delhi Capitals in a home clash in Jaipur on Friday, where the focus will once again shift back to cricket, even as the controversy around Parag continues to linger in the background.
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