PBKS vs RR IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals and captain Riyan Parag must explain to the BCCI after he was seen vaping in the dressing room, according to a BCCI source speaking to India Today. The act occurred during RR's six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on Tuesday.
A video circulated widely on social media showed Parag vaping in the dressing room during the IPL 2026 match in New Chandigarh. His actions sparked criticism from fans and experts, prompting strong reactions questioning his conduct during a high-profile tournament.
This vaping incident occurred during a match that was a major accomplishment for Rajasthan. RR successfully chased a formidable target of 223, winning by six wickets with four balls left in a thrilling contest. While Jaiswal (51) and Sooryavanshi (43) set the tone and Ferreira (52) finished brilliantly, Parag’s off-field behavior overshadowed their sporting excellence.
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Although no official penalty has been imposed yet, reports suggest BCCI will investigate and consider future action. The incident underscores the need for strict player conduct, particularly in the heavily scrutinized IPL, where even minor violations attract intense attention.
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Parag, the new RR skipper replacing Sanju Samson for IPL 2026, is one of five retained players before the 2024 mega auction. Despite his captaincy skills, his performance has been lackluster, scoring only 117 runs with a 14.63 average and a 124.47 strike rate. His inconsistent form and questionable decision-making have drawn heavy criticism.