Riyan Parag Fined Approx ₹25 Lakh for Vaping

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee after being caught vaping inside the dressing room during an IPL 2026 match, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) charging him under the league's Code of Conduct.

The incident occurred during Rajasthan Royals' clash against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, where television cameras captured Parag using an e-cigarette inside the dressing room. The act was deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.

BCCI charges Riyan Parag under Level 1 offence

In an official notice issued to the player, the BCCI charged Parag with a Level 1 offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with general misconduct not explicitly covered under specific rules.

According to the Code of Conduct, Article 2.21 applies to actions that bring the game into disrepute, including inappropriate behaviour in public or professional environments.

Parag admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma. There was no indication of a formal hearing, and the player is expected to comply with the penalty without appeal.

Riyan Parag fine estimated at around ₹25 lakh

Given Parag's reported IPL contract value of ₹14 crore for the season, his per-match fee is estimated to be approximately ₹1 crore. A 25 per cent deduction translates to a fine of roughly ₹25 lakh.

Despite being classified as a first-time offence, the financial penalty is considered significant.

Sources indicated that in the absence of a specific precedent or rule addressing vaping inside dressing rooms, officials applied the broader misconduct provision under Article 2.21.

BCCI may explore further action

The BCCI has also indicated that additional disciplinary measures could be considered in the aftermath of the incident.

In a statement, the board said it was exploring options for further action to ensure the reputation of the IPL remains protected. This could potentially involve scrutiny of team officials or internal protocols related to dressing room conduct.

The governing body emphasised that behaviour considered reckless or avoidable - especially when visible during live broadcasts - falls within the scope of disciplinary review.

Incident raises wider dressing room privacy debate

The controversy has also sparked renewed discussion around broadcast practices, particularly the presence of cameras inside dressing rooms during live matches.

Several team representatives have previously raised concerns about player privacy and dressing room protocols, especially during moments when players may not be fully prepared for broadcast coverage.

While Parag's fine addresses the disciplinary aspect of the incident, the broader discussion around dressing room conduct and broadcast access is expected to continue within league circles.