After being seen vaping on video during the IPL encounter against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was fined 25% of his match money on Thursday for dragging the game into “disrepute.”
Social media users condemned Parag’s behavior during Tuesday night’s Royals run chase.
According to information obtained by PTI, on-field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon failed to notify match referee Amit Sharma of the situation immediately following the game. They only took that action in response to visual evidence, and Sharma ruled Parag guilty of violating the IPL’s code of conduct.
One demerit point and a 25% match fee deduction are associated with the Level 1 offence.
“Riyan admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the Match Referee, Amit Sharma,” said the IPL in a statement.
“The BCCI is also exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials and players to ensure that the reputation of IPL remains intact,” the statement added.
On possible action on Rajasthan Royals, PTI quoted BCCI secretary Devajit Saika, as saying: “As it is written clearly in the statement, we are exploring what action to take on the team. It is not decided yet.”
In 2019, the Indian government had banned the manufacture, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes. According to the legislation, a first-time offender may be imprisoned for up to a year and/or fined Rs one lakh.
“Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20,” the IPL Code of Conduct states.
“By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
“When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
“Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence).” Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
During the live broadcast of their match against Punjab Kings, Parag, who has struggled with the bat in IPL, was spotted inhaling an e-cigarette, or vaping, in the dressing room. The Royals’ victory snapped the Kings’ winning streak in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy for the Royals this season. Romi Bhinder, the team manager, was fined Rs 1 lakh earlier this month for violating PMOA procedure for using his phone in the dugout.
In the era of social media and intrusive TV cameras, IPL and BCCI executives involved in the IPL’s action described it as a reckless act.
The Royals will next play the Delhi Capitals on Friday night in Jaipur.
