Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has strongly criticised Yuzvendra Chahal amid allegations that the Punjab Kings spinner was seen vaping in a viral social media clip during IPL 2026. Sivaramakrishnan even stated that Chahal “should be behind bars” if the allegations prove to be true, as the use and sale of e-cigarettes remain banned in India.

The controversy erupted after a video, allegedly taken from Arshdeep Singh’s podcast content, surfaced online. In the widely circulated clip, Chahal appears to be trying to conceal an object believed to be an e-cigarette while seated among Punjab Kings teammates on a flight to Hyderabad. However, the video’s authenticity has not been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation that Chahal was vaping in the footage.

Adding more fuel to the debate, a social media rumour claimed that Arshdeep Singh had been barred from creating vlogs involving the Punjab Kings squad, while Chahal was reportedly issued only a strict warning. No official statement has been released by either the franchise or the BCCI regarding those claims.

ALSO READ: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shafali Verma Miss Scheduled Dope Tests, Receive NADA Notices

Reacting sharply on social media platform X, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan questioned why stricter punishment had not been enforced if the allegations were accurate.

“Vape is banned in India. Should be behind bars. What is the point in having laws and not implementing them? Twenty-five percent of match fees is peanuts. What if a regular person had done this? What would the action be?” Sivaramakrishnan posted.

Vape is banned in India. Should be behind bars. What is the point in having Laws and not implementing them. 25% of match fees is peanuts. What if a regular person had done this, What would the action be?

— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) May 8, 2026

The incident comes shortly after Riyan Parag was fined 25 percent of his match fees for allegedly using an e-cigarette in the Rajasthan Royals dressing room earlier this season. Following that controversy, the BCCI issued fresh IPL directives banning vaping and e-cigarette use across all tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities.

ALSO READ: Krunal Pandya Reacts After Nicholas Pooran Banter Sparks IPL 2026 Buzz

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had warned that such actions could violate both IPL regulations and Indian law. As of now, no official disciplinary action has been announced against Chahal, but the controversy continues to generate intense discussion across the cricketing world.