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Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has called for a strict action against Punjab Kings' (PBKS) leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for alleged use of vape/e-cigarette on flight to Hyderabad posted by Arshdeep Singh on his YouTube channel. The clip went viral on social media as Chahal was the second player to be allegedly caught using vape during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The first was Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag who did it in the dressing room during game against PBKS. He was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point. But Sivaramakrishnan feels that 25 per cent match fee fine is just peanuts. He wants Chahal to be jailed.
"Vape is banned in India. Should be behind bars. What is the point in having Laws and not implementing them. 25% of match fees is peanuts. What if a regular person had done this, What would the action be?" Sivaramakrishnan wrote on X.
BCCI’s strict advisory to IPL franchise over use of vapes
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to respond to Chahal's alleged use of vape. However, in an eight-page diktat to all IPL franchise, the board told them that use of vapes is prohibited in the stadium promises, team hotels and practice sessions during the course of the competition.
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“Instances of vaping within dressing rooms and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to BCCI’s attention. It is pertinent to note that vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian Law. Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework," the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia wrote in the advisory.
“Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities,” he added.
Chahal’s next appearance in IPL 2026
After the controversy, Chahal will be seen in action on May 11 when PBKS go up against Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala's HPCA Stadium. DC are almost out of the tournament after their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 8. Meanwhile, PBKS will be looking to move on from a hat-trick of defeats.
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