Rajasthan Royals Captain Riyan Parag Fined 25% Match Fee for Vaping

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was fined 25% of his match fees, which is about Rs 25 lakh, for vaping in the dressing room during an IPL match on Tuesday.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Indian Premier League |

Riyan Parag, captain of the Rajasthan Royals, has been fined 25 percent of his match fees and received one demerit point for breaching the IPL's Code of Conduct. The infraction, classified as a Level 1 offence under Article 2.21, pertains to "conduct that brings the game into disrepute."

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The incident, which occurred during the second innings of the match against Punjab Kings on Tuesday night, involved Parag being observed using a vape inside the dressing room, captured on live broadcast. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated it is exploring possibilities for more stringent actions against the player, the team, and its officials to safeguard the reputation of the Indian Premier League. Parag has reportedly admitted to the offence.

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Code of Conduct Breach

The IPL media advisory confirmed Parag's violation of Article 2.21, a rule governing actions that could negatively impact the game's standing. The umpires initially did not report the incident immediately after the match, but subsequent review of visual evidence led to the penalty. The breach happened during the Royals' successful chase of 223 against Punjab Kings, a victory that marked the latter's first defeat of the IPL 2026 season.

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The IPL's code of conduct does not explicitly name vaping but emphasizes the necessity of maintaining decorum within dressing rooms and player areas. The seriousness of such offences is assessed based on factors including intent, recklessness, and avoidability.

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Financial and Sporting Ramifications

With an estimated per-match fee of around Rs 1 crore, Parag's fine amounts to approximately Rs 25 lakh. This penalty is considered substantial, especially for a first-time offence. The demerit point adds to his disciplinary record, with the IPL's framework categorizing breaches on a severity scale from Level 1 to Level 4.

Broader Scrutiny

This incident places Rajasthan Royals under increased scrutiny, marking the second instance this season involving the team drawing attention for player conduct. Previously, the team's manager, Ravinder "Romi" Bhinder, was fined Rs 1 lakh for using a mobile phone during a match. The BCCI's contemplation of further action suggests a broader concern about player behaviour and adherence to league standards within the high-profile T20 tournament.

Read More: 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fastest to 400 IPL runs

Upcoming Fixtures

Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to play their next match against Delhi Capitals in Jaipur on Friday night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag fined after the match against Punjab Kings on Tuesday?
Riyan Parag was fined 25 percent of his match fees and given one demerit point for vaping in the dressing room during the game, which is against the IPL's Code of Conduct.
Q: How much money did Riyan Parag have to pay as a fine?
Riyan Parag was fined approximately Rs 25 lakh, which is 25 percent of his match fees, for his actions.
Q: What does the demerit point mean for Riyan Parag?
The demerit point is added to Riyan Parag's disciplinary record in the IPL. The BCCI is also looking into stronger actions against him and the team.
Q: What is the BCCI considering doing next about Riyan Parag's vaping incident?
The BCCI is thinking about taking more serious steps against Riyan Parag, the Rajasthan Royals team, and its officials to protect the reputation of the Indian Premier League.
Q: Has Riyan Parag admitted to vaping in the dressing room?
Yes, Riyan Parag has reportedly admitted to the offence of vaping in the dressing room during the match.