Rajasthan Royals breaks silence as Riyan Parag vaping row explodes; Kumar Sangakkara fires strongly-worded message
Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara addressed the Riyan Parag vaping controversy, stating the team culture must be maintained amid BCCI scrutiny.Summary
The Rajasthan Royals have faced off-field controversies this IPL 2026 season, starting with team manager Romi Bhinder's phone use and followed by captain Riyan Parag's vaping incident during a match against the Punjab Kings. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responded by fining Parag 25% of his match fees and issuing a demerit point. In response, head coach Kumar Sangakkara issued a strongly worded statement acknowledging that such controversies are not positive for the team. He confirmed that both issues have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise, emphasizing the need to maintain the team's culture. The BCCI is also exploring stringent actions against the Rajasthan Royals franchise and its officials to protect the IPL's reputation. Sangakkara also highlighted Parag's crucial knock against the Punjab Kings earlier in the week, noting that it shifted the momentum in the team's favor.
(Source：Hindustan Times)
