India, April 29 -- Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag found himself in the midst of a controversy on Tuesday after a TV camera caught him "vaping" in the dressing room during the team's IPL 2026 match against the Punjab Kings at the New Chandigarh Stadium. The act triggered an immediate reaction on social media, especially with the Indian government having banned e-cigarettes in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. Under the law, an offender faces imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine of INR1 lakh for a first-time offence.

Amid the controversy, a familiar issue resurfaced-one that IPL captains had flagged as a major concern during the pre-season meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and IPL...