Smoke in the dressing room: Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag fined 25% of match fee in vape row

Riyan Parag, captain of Rajasthan Royals, has been fined 25% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match No. 40 of the Indian Premier League 2026 against Punjab Kings.

According to an official media advisory, the breach falls under Article 2.21 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute.” The incident took place during the second innings of the match, when Parag was seen using a vape inside the dressing room, an act deemed inappropriate under league regulations.

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Parag admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny around player behaviour and adherence to league standards, particularly in a high-visibility tournament like the IPL.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India said it is also exploring further options to initiate proceedings for stricter action against the concerned team, its officials and players to ensure that the reputation and integrity of the league remain intact.

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The IPL has, in recent years, tightened its code of conduct framework to reinforce discipline and maintain its global standing as one of the premier T20 leagues.