The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is under increasing pressure to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag. The outcry follows a viral video allegedly capturing the cricketer vaping within the team dressing room during the clash against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, an act that has drawn heavy fire from fans and observers alike.
The controversy erupted during a match that was otherwise a celebration of Rajasthan's clinical brilliance. Chasing a massive 223, the Royals pulled off a sensational six-wicket victory with four balls to spare. While the spotlight should have remained on the blistering starts provided by Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (43), and the cold-blooded finish by Donovan Ferreira (52), it was Parag's off-field conduct that dominated the post-match headlines.
The backlash centres on the message such behaviour sends to a dressing room currently championed for its youth. Fans have pointed out that the squad is populated by several impressionable youngsters, most notably the 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The optics of a senior professional engaging in such an act in the presence of a minor has intensified the demand for accountability.
Adding a legal dimension to the controversy, the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019 strictly bans the production, sale, distribution, and storage of e-cigarettes and vapes across India.
Social media has served as a primary outlet for the public's frustration. One viral post, which gained significant traction, scathingly critiqued Parag's lack of situational awareness:
"That's not just 'unprofessional,' it's outright careless. A dressing room isn't some roadside adda where you can do whatever you want – it's a shared team space where discipline and respect are the bare minimum. At this level, you're not just another guy chilling with friends. You're a professional cricketer representing your franchise, your teammates, and thousands of fans who look up to you. Pulling off something like this doesn't make you look bold or 'cool' - it just exposes a lack of maturity and awareness."
"And honestly, the BCCI cannot afford to ignore something like this. If there's no accountability, it sets a dangerous precedent where players start thinking rules don't matter. Today it's this, tomorrow it could be something bigger," the user's post read further.
The incident has also cast a shadow over the Rajasthan Royals' overall management of player conduct and stadium protocols. Despite their climb to third on the points table, Rajasthan seem to be careless about protocols; earlier in the season, their manager was fined for using a cell phone in a restricted area – the dugout – during an IPL match. Now, with a senior player under the scanner for a potential legal and ethical breach, the BCCI's response will be closely watched.
Source: India Today