Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has addressed the controversy involving captain Riyan Parag after a video appearing to show the player vaping in the dressing room circulated on social media. Sangakkara said the matter had been dealt with and described the incident as a reminder to players about maintaining team culture and leadership standards.

The episode drew significant attention online and briefly shifted focus away from Rajasthan Royals’ strong IPL 2026 campaign. As captain, Parag’s conduct came under particular scrutiny, with critics questioning professionalism and the example set within the dressing room. The franchise has not publicly detailed internal disciplinary measures.

Speaking ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ match against Delhi Capitals, Sangakkara said such controversies bring no positives for the team. He added that both the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the franchise had already addressed the issue, while stressing the importance of preserving discipline and values within the squad environment.

Also Read: Riyan Parag Violates BCCI Guidelines by Vaping in Dressing Room During RR vs PBKS Clash

The BCCI earlier penalised Parag with a fine amounting to 25 per cent of his match fee and imposed one demerit point for what it termed a Level 1 offence. However, board officials indicated that the matter may not be closed, with further proceedings being considered to determine whether additional sanctions are warranted.

According to statements attributed to BCCI officials, the board is examining options for stricter action involving the player, team officials, or the franchise if necessary. The governing body said it wants to ensure that the reputation and standards of the IPL remain protected, particularly given the league’s global profile and commercial stature.

Despite the off-field distraction, Rajasthan Royals remain firmly in contention this season. The team sits fourth in the standings with six wins from nine matches and is set to face Delhi Capitals in Jaipur. Management will hope attention now returns to on-field performances as the race for playoff positions intensifies.

Also Read: Srikkanth Comments On Batting Struggles Of Riyan Parag And Ajinkya Rahane