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"That could have been avoided": R Ashwin on Riyan Parag vaping controversy
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been in the news in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season after being caught on camera vaping inside the team’s dressing room. The incident occurred during Rajasthan Royals’ high-scoring clash against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. During the second innings of the match, broadcast cameras briefly captured Parag vaping inside the dressing room.
Following the incident, Parag was fined 25% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the league’s Code of Conduct. He accepted the sanction imposed by the match referee, avoiding a formal hearing. Sharing his views on the matter, former Indian cricketer R Ashwin gave his advice to Parag.
"I think this is totally a situation that could have been avoided. I want players not to get trapped in such things. I don’t really want that for a young player, and this is a little sensitive, too. I think, on all quadrants, if we look at so many things, this could have been avoided," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
"Sometimes what happens is it’s a personal choice, but your personal choice should be in your personal space. If you do all this in public space, that can very well be avoided. All I would say is this, it's my small advice as an elder brother. I want to tell Riyan Parag that, whatever happens in your personal life, nobody has any concern about it. Nobody can say anything about that. But whatever you do, do it in your personal space, because you are a captain, you are a franchise leader. You are probably an inspiration for many cricketers, many youth, many young Indians, and young people around the world. So there is some responsibility too," he added.
Currently, Rajasthan Royals are sitting on the fourth spot in the points table with six wins in nine games.
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