Ashwin speaks openly on Riyan Parag vaping row. PC-X/Sahil_Malhotra1
Riyan Parag has become the centre of controversies in the IPL 2026, after the Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain was found vaping during the live broadcast of the PBKS vs RR match.
Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intervened and fined the 24-year-old cricketer 25% of his match fee as punishment, the world is divided, with some calling for a heftier reprimand.
Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, vapes (e-cigarettes) are not legal in India. However, the BCCI, or the IPL committee, doesn't have any laws against such an offence in its constitution.
Ashwin sympathises with Riyan Parag over vaping row
Indian legend and former RR cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin, shared his piece of mind on the whole Riyan Parag vaping saga. While talking on his Youtube Channel, Ash ki baat, the cricket-turned-pundit advised the youth icon, as an elder brother, to be more serious, who is now a leader of an IPL team.
"I have my deepest empathy and sympathy for the young kid, but at the same time, I totally believe all these things should and can be avoided," Ravichandran Ashwin stated.
"It can’t be easy, man. In today’s world, I also sometimes read things and think, man, I mean, sometimes this happens. I’m not saying these things should be let go under the carpet, because if action isn’t taken, nobody will learn from it. But it is better to avoid these things," he concluded.
Also Read: Will The BCCI Let Riyan Parag Play In Today’s IPL Match After Vaping Controversy?
Ravi Ashwin's relationship Riyan Parag over the years
A celebrated spinner in the IPL, Ravi Ashwin, joined the RR back in IPL 2022. He went to play three seasons for the one-time champions, sharing the dressing room with a young Riyan Parag in his budding years as a cricketer.
Interestingly, both Ashwin and Parag share a similar skillset as off-spinners. Although Parag's skills as a bowler are nowhere close to Ashwin's craft, the legendary offie has publicly applauded the current RR skipper on multiple occasions.
Riyan Parag's journey with RR
Since joining RR back in 2017, Riyan Parag has grown leaps and bounds in their camps. Although his numbers in the IPL have been below par, the talented all-rounder has shown a spark of brilliance, especially in the the last two seasons, when he scored nearly 1000 runs in the league.
His wonders in the IPL saw him wear the Indian blues in 2024. Last year, in the absence of Sanju Samson, Parag was handpicked to be the franchise’s stand-in skipper, and after the Samson trade, he donned the RR captaincy hat permanently.
In IPL 2026, Parag’s performance with the bat has been simply woeful, but as a captain, he has looked like one of the sharpest minds leading in the season.
Also Read: Harpreet Brar Along With 1 More Punjab Player Threatens IPL Team For Mockery
