Riyan Parag Vaping Row: BCCI to Seek Explanation from RR Captain, Match Referee May Face Action

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag finds himself at the centre of a growing controversy after a video surfaced of him using a vape inside the dressing room during his side's Indian Premier League game against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India now set to seek a formal explanation from the 24-year-old.

The incident occurred during the 16th over of RR's chase on Tuesday, with Parag seen vaping in the dressing room in the presence of teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Singh Charak, and Kuldeep Sen. The BCCI has since confirmed it will pursue the matter formally.

"We will be seeking an explanation from Riyan on this issue, as vaping is not allowed. Depending on his explanation, the IPL will take further course of action," a BCCI official was quoted as saying in a report by The Indian Express.

Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited within IPL stadium premises, except in designated zones.

The matter carries wider legal implications as well. India banned e-cigarettes under The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which prohibits the production, sale, purchase, import, export, and advertisement of vapes nationwide.

Can BCCI Penalise Riyan Parag For Vaping Under Its Own Rule Book?

Violations of the Act can attract hefty fines and imprisonment of up to six months.

While there appears to be no provision in the BCCI rule book to directly penalise Parag for the act of smoking, the match referee could face disciplinary action for a different reason entirely.

As per BCCI sources, the referee may be punished for bringing disrepute to the game by allowing a banned substance to reach the dressing room unchecked, raising serious questions about the adequacy of screening procedures at the venue.

As of now, neither the BCCI, the Rajasthan Royals, nor Parag himself have issued an official statement regarding the incident.

The controversy arrives at an already difficult juncture for Parag, who took over the RR captaincy this season after Sanju Samson moved to the Chennai Super Kings.

He has struggled for consistency with the bat throughout the tournament, scoring only 81 runs in seven innings prior to the Punjab Kings match, drawing criticism from fans and former players alike.

(With inputs from ANI)