Riyan Parag Fined ₹1.87 Lakh for Vaping; BCCI Weighs Stricter Action Against Rajasthan Royals

Key facts

• Riyan Parag fined 25% of his match fee (₹187,500) and given one demerit point for vaping during an IPL match on April 28.
• The incident occurred after Rajasthan Royals chased 223 against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh, winning with four balls and six wickets left.
• Team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and warned for using a mobile phone in the dugout earlier in IPL 2026.
• In 2012, KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan was fined ₹100 for smoking at the same stadium; Parag's fine is 1,875 times larger.
• BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board is exploring further disciplinary action against the Rajasthan Royals franchise.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 'AI chip' controversy is a viral rumor unrelated to the disciplinary issues.

A Vape Caught on Camera

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was caught on live television using what appeared to be an e-cigarette in the dressing room after his team's victory over Punjab Kings on April 28. The footage, which spread rapidly on social media, showed the 24-year-old smoking a vape shortly after being dismissed for a 16-ball 29 in a successful chase of 223. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act of 2019 bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India. The IPL's Code of Conduct classifies such behavior as a Level One breach under Article 2.21, which covers 'conduct that brings the game into disrepute.'

The Penalty and Its Precedent

On April 30, the IPL issued a statement confirming that Parag had been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point. Since IPL cricketers earn ₹750,000 per match, the fine amounted to ₹187,500 — a sum that dwarfs a similar penalty from 14 years earlier. In 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan was fined ₹100 for smoking in the stands during a match between Rajasthan Royals and KKR in Jaipur. The Rajasthan Prohibition of Smoking Act and Non-Smoker's Health Protection Act, 2000 prohibits smoking in public places, with a maximum fine of ₹200. Khan pleaded guilty and paid ₹100 — 1/1,875 of Parag's fine, even without adjusting for inflation. That same year, Khan received a five-year ban from Wankhede Stadium after a scuffle with security during a match against Mumbai Indians. In 2024, he was again spotted smoking during a KKR home game, though no penalty was reported.

A Pattern of Lapses in the Royals Camp

Parag's violation is not the first off-field controversy involving Rajasthan Royals this season. Earlier in IPL 2026, team manager Romi Bhinder was caught on camera using a mobile phone while sitting in the dugout during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati. The dugout is a designated Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) where all communication devices are strictly prohibited to prevent potential corruption or external influence. Following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and issued a formal warning. Despite initial speculation of a suspension, the manager escaped a ban, and the matter was officially closed. Rajasthan Royals head coach, speaking on the controversies, said they 'have been addressed' and that 'the constant reminder to the players is to make sure they're responsible to the franchise.'

BCCI Considers Stricter Measures

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has signaled that it is not satisfied with the recent conduct of Rajasthan Royals players and support staff. In its April 30 statement, the board confirmed it is 'exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials and player/s to ensure that the reputation of IPL remains intact.' BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI, 'As it is written clearly in the statement, we are exploring what action to take on the team. It is not decided yet.' The board's stance has fueled speculation of a potential ban on the franchise, though current actions remain limited to fines and warnings. The mention of a 'ban' in some headlines has been amplified by a viral social media rumor involving 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and an alleged 'AI chip' controversy — a claim that has no basis in the disciplinary proceedings.

The Stakes for Rajasthan Royals and the IPL

The Rajasthan Royals franchise, which won the inaugural IPL in 2008, now faces an uncertain future as the BCCI weighs its options. A ban would be unprecedented in the league's history and could have severe financial and reputational consequences for the team and its owners. The IPL, one of the world's most valuable cricket leagues, has a strict code of conduct designed to protect its image. The board's willingness to consider 'stringent action' reflects its determination to enforce discipline, especially after a series of incidents involving players and officials. For Parag, the demerit point brings him closer to a potential suspension under the IPL's cumulative penalty system. The young captain, who has led Rajasthan Royals to several victories this season, now carries the burden of a controversy that threatens to overshadow his on-field achievements.

What Comes Next

The BCCI has not set a timeline for its decision on further action against Rajasthan Royals. The board's statement leaves open the possibility of fines, point deductions, or even a suspension from future editions of the tournament. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals management is expected to cooperate with the investigation and implement stricter internal protocols to prevent further breaches. The team's head coach emphasized that the issues 'have been addressed,' but the board's scrutiny suggests that the franchise's conduct will remain under close watch. As the IPL season progresses, the spotlight on Rajasthan Royals will only intensify. The outcome of the BCCI's review could set a precedent for how the league handles off-field misconduct by players and team officials in the future.

The bottom line

• Riyan Parag was fined ₹187,500 and given one demerit point for vaping, a penalty 1,875 times larger than Shah Rukh Khan's 2012 fine for smoking.
• Team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh for using a mobile phone in the dugout, highlighting a pattern of disciplinary lapses within Rajasthan Royals.
• The BCCI is exploring further action against the franchise, including potential bans, to protect the IPL's reputation.
• The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act of 2019 and the IPL Code of Conduct were both cited in the disciplinary actions.
• A viral rumor involving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unrelated to the actual disciplinary proceedings.
• The incident underscores the IPL's strict enforcement of off-field conduct rules, with potential long-term consequences for the franchise.