Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has landed in trouble after being penalised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for vaping inside the team dressing room during an IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings. The incident, which was caught on live broadcast, quickly drew attention and prompted disciplinary action from the governing body.

Parag has admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction. He has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. The charge falls under Article 2.21, which deals with behaviour that brings the game into disrepute.

In an official statement released on Thursday, the BCCI confirmed the violation, stating that the 24-year-old engaged in conduct that did not align with the standards expected at the highest level of the game. The incident took place during the second innings of the match in Mullanpur, where Parag was seen vaping in the dressing room.

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The penalty was imposed by match referee Amit Sharma, but the matter may not end there. The BCCI has indicated that it is also considering further action, potentially extending scrutiny to team officials or others present, as part of efforts to uphold the league’s integrity.

🚨 NO BAN FOR RIYAN PARAG. 🚨

– RR captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25% of his match fees for vaping inside the dressing room. pic.twitter.com/mgzLBOJdZ0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 30, 2026

Beyond cricketing regulations, the controversy carries legal implications. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019, e-cigarettes are banned across India. The law prohibits the production, sale, distribution and use of such devices. First-time offenders can face up to one year in prison, a fine of ₹1 lakh, or both.

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This marks the second disciplinary issue involving the Rajasthan Royals this season. Earlier, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh for using a communication device in the dugout during a match.

For Parag, the episode adds another layer of scrutiny in an already closely watched IPL campaign, both as a player and as captain.