Riyan Parag, the captain of the Rajasthan Royals, is facing backlash after being spotted vaping in the dressing room during the IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings. This incident occurred while the Royals were successfully chasing down a target of 223 runs. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations, smoking and vaping are prohibited within stadium premises, except in designated areas. Additionally, India's Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), enacted in 2019, bans the production and use of e-cigarettes nationwide, with violations potentially leading to imprisonment of up to six months and fines. Although there is no explicit public rule against vaping, the BCCI has strict guidelines regarding player conduct in dressing rooms. This controversy comes at a challenging time for Parag, who has struggled with his batting performance, managing only 81 runs in seven innings leading up to this match. Despite the distraction, the Rajasthan Royals secured victory, handing the Punjab Kings their first loss of the season. Earlier, the Royals' team manager was fined ₹1 lakh for using a mobile phone in the dugout during a previous match.