Video shows Riyan Parag vaping in Royals dressing room
Riyan Parag faces heat after viral IPL clip sparks conduct debate
Vape in the Dugout? Riyan Parag’s Viral Blunder Ignites IPL Firestorm During RR’s Big Win
New Chandigarh, April 29, 2026—Cricket’s got enough drama on the field, but Riyan Parag just handed the IPL 2026 a juicy off-field scandal. A viral video from the Rajasthan Royals’ dressing room during their match against Punjab Kings caught the 24-year-old captain—or ex-captain?—apparently vaping mid-game. The clip exploded across social media faster than a Virat Kohli century, leaving fans split: “Kids these days!” vs. “Let the boy breathe!”
It went down in the 16th over of the second innings. Parag, fresh off a gritty 29 off 16 balls, had just trudged back to the dugout after missing a shot at anchoring RR’s chase of 222. Broadcast cams panned in for a split-second—bam, there he was, holding what sure looked like a vape pen, puffing away like it was a post-match chill sesh. X (formerly Twitter) lit up: memes of Parag as a rebel rockstar, angry uncles ranting about “youth gone wrong,” and ex-players like Sanjay Manjrekar tweeting, “Disappointing. Role model material?”
Timing couldn’t be worse for Parag, RR’s surprise captain this season after Sanju Samson jumped to Chennai Super Kings. The kid’s been in a batting slump—81 runs in seven innings before this game, drawing barbs like “overhyped” from pundits. Fans who’d stuck by him through slogs now questioned his leadership chops. Is vaping the cherry on a tough-cookie season?
BCCI doesn’t mess around on this. No explicit “no-vape” rule in the rulebook, but tobacco and “similar products” are banned in stadiums, dressing rooms, dugouts—you name it. Health codes, behavioral guidelines, the works. Parag’s staring down a fine, suspension, or worse from the ethics sleuths. Remember that dressing room code? It’s there to keep players sharp, not shrouded in smoke. One fan nailed it: “You’re captaining millions of kids watching—vape later, bro.”
Adding salt: RR still smashed it. They chased 222 with six wickets left, handing PBKS their first loss. Parag’s knock set the tone before the collapse; teammates like Yashasvi Jaiswal finished the job. Victory selfies masked the cloud hanging over the dressing room, but whispers of internal drama bubbled up.
This ain’t Parag’s first rodeo with heat. RR’s already in BCCI’s bad books—team manager Romi Bhinder copped a ₹1 lakh fine and warning last month for whipping out a phone in the dugout against RCB in Guwahati. ACSU slapped a show-cause notice; 48 hours to explain. Now Parag? Feels like RR’s turning into the IPL’s naughty corner.
Defenders rally: “Stress of captaincy at 24? Cut slack!” Parag’s no villain—fiery Assamese talent, IPL breakout star turned skipper. But vaping on cam? Rookie error in pro cricket’s fishbowl. Sponsors might balk, kids might mimic. BCCI could suspend him a game, send a message. RR’s management? Silent so far, probably sweating a statement.
Zoom out: IPL’s a pressure cooker. Young guns like Parag juggle fame, form, and franchise weight. Wins paper over cracks—RR’s top-table sitters—but one puff changes narratives overnight. Will he apologize? Own it in a presser? Or double down? Fans await.
For now, the vape video’s the talk—more than the ton-up chase. Cricket’s king, but controversies crown it. Parag, blink twice: lead clean, bat big. The IPL circus rolls on.