The world of cricket has witnessed countless incidents—ranging from ball-tampering to late-night antics in hotel rooms. However, a new crisis now looms over the sport, and this time, it is quite literally a 'cloud.' With cameras now installed in every corner of the stadium and even inside the dressing rooms it has become more difficult than ever for players to conceal their off-field habits.
Here are five instances where well-known cricketers were caught on camera vaping, sparking a heated debate regarding player conduct and league regulations.
1. Riyan Parag (IPL 2026)
During an IPL 2026 match, Riyan Parag was spotted vaping—a practice that is banned in India. This incident occurred on April 28 during the match played between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur. In the 16th over of Rajasthan's innings, when the camera panned towards the RR dressing room, Riyan was seen vaping. However, this is not the first time a player has been caught vaping during a live cricket match.
Riyan Parag allegedly got Caught Smoking Elfbar Vape inside Dressing Room during RR vs PBKS match😭 pic.twitter.com/SbuARGXN7s
— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) April 28, 2026
Riyan Parag is the captain of the Rajasthan Royals. Under his captaincy, Rajasthan has been performing well, and the team has maintained its position in the top four since the very beginning of the tournament. However, the captain's own performance has not been particularly impressive; he has scored a total of just 117 runs across 9 matches. During the PBKS vs RR match, Parag was seen vaping after getting dismissed and returning to the pavilion.
2. Aaron Finch (IPL 2020)
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch created a stir on the internet during the 2020 IPL season in the UAE. As his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), was navigating the final moments of a thrilling encounter against the Rajasthan Royals, cameras captured Finch releasing a large cloud of smoke in the dressing room.
3. AB de Villiers (SA20 2026)
Even cricket's "Mr. 360" could not escape the keen eye of the cameraman. Earlier this year, during an SA20 match, AB de Villiers was spotted vaping in the VIP stand. When the legendary South African batsman realized that he was being featured on the stadium's giant screen, he visibly panicked and immediately hid the device. Although he was not playing in that match, the footage nevertheless went viral, sparking a debate among fans as to whether such a prominent role model should be seen promoting such a habit.
4. Brendon McCullum (2015 World Cup)
Even though this incident may not have been captured by a "live" broadcast camera at the exact moment it occurred, it has been recounted directly by the legendary player himself, Brendon McCullum. In his autobiography, he made a startling revelation: during the 2019 World Cup Final and the 2015 Semi-final, he would retreat to the washroom at Lord's to smoke a cigarette in an effort to alleviate his stress. Although he preferred smoking regular cigarettes, his revelation underscores the immense pressure that international captains face—and the lengths to which they go behind closed doors to "de-stress."
5. Kagiso Rabada (IPL 2026)
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada found himself embroiled in a social media controversy. During the 2026 IPL season, a video surfaced in which he was allegedly seen smoking a cigarette or vaping on a hotel balcony. Although the BCCI clarified that this did not constitute a violation of stadium regulations (as the incident occurred within the private confines of the hotel), the episode nevertheless further fueled the ongoing debate regarding the rising trend of vaping among modern-day cricketers.
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