IPL 2026: After Riyan Parag's vaping row, BCCI warns teams - 'Maintain some decorum'
The BCCI has warned IPL teams of stricter action for violating league rules after Rajasthan Royals faced controversies involving team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder and captain Riyan Parag. Bhinder was fined for using a mobile phone near the dugout, while Parag was penalised for vaping in the dressing room. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is reviewing IPL protocols, while RR coach Kumar Sangakkara said the issues had been addressed internally.
NEW DELHI: The BCCI has warned IPL teams that stricter action could follow if franchises continue to break rules during the 2026 season. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is reviewing protocols and may introduce stronger measures against teams that damage the league’s image. The warning comes after Rajasthan Royals faced two separate controversies this season.
Team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder was fined Rs 1 lakh after he was seen using a mobile phone near the dugout during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Later, captain Riyan Parag was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point after being caught vaping inside the dressing room during a game against Punjab Kings. “We are exploring some other options about how to bring the teams which are violating the norms,” Saikia said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
“We will be taking some action. We are looking at the various terms and conditions and protocols of IPL [around] how the teams behave. ” Saikia stressed that maintaining discipline is not only the responsibility of players but also team officials and franchises as a whole.
“It is not just players or officials. As a team, they have to maintain some decorum so that the image of the IPL is never adversely affected. To ensure that we have to take a call and we will be taking some action,” he added.