India, May 1 -- The Rajasthan Royals have stayed among the contenders to qualify for the playoffs throughout the first half of the IPL 2026 season. Yet off the field, the inaugural champions have been troubled by controversy. First, it was their team manager, Romi Bhinder, who was spotted using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match. And then days later, a bigger trouble unfolded when captain Riyan Parag was spotted vaping in the dressing room during RR's recent match against the Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh.

The Board of Control for India (BCCI) took a strong step against Parag on Thursday, imposing a 25 per cent fine of his match fees and handing him one demerit point.

Hours after the verdict, head coach Kumar Sangakkara issued...