From explicit YouTube search, arrogant gesture to latest vaping controversy:Why does Riyan Parag face ‘distorted image’ in cricket fraternity?

Riyan Parag has again caught the headlines for all the wrong reasons as the 24-year-old Rajasthan Royals skipper was captured vaping on camera in the dressing room. Notably, it happened after the first ball of the 15th over, six balls after Parag was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal. As soon as the moment got the attention of the netizens, it went viral on social media. However, this is not the first time that Riyan Parag has been on the receiving end of criticism from cricket fans due to his antics. After the T20 World Cup 2024, Riyan Parag scripted history, becoming the first-ever cricketer from the northeast to receive the India cap. But even before his India debut, Parag had experienced bullying comments from the cricketing community and fans for periodic incidents. In this story today, let’s explore why the young all-rounder faces a ‘distorted image’ on the internet despite his cricketing achievements. Syed Mushtag Ali Trophy 2023 celebration After reaching a fifty and taking Assam over the line against Bengal in 2023 in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match, Parag turned towards the pavilion, making a gesture that appeared to say, “I stand on a different level compared to the others.” Notably, after scoring his seventh consecutive half-century in T20s, which is a world record, Parag used a hand gesture to suggest he was playing on a level far above the competition. At the moment of celebration, some attributed the reaction to a problematic statement from one of the on-air commentators earlier, who called Assam players “second-class citizens” in front of Bengal players. Riyan is known for being self-confident and outspoken. During an interview in 2022, he said, “I don’t want to praise myself, but I can be India’s best finisher.” This statement did not go well with the fans and was perceived as overconfidence by some of them. Parag’s explicit YouTube search for Bollywood celebrities Not long back, Parag found himself in the spotlight when a recording of a live stream on Parag’s YouTube channel surfaced for a few seconds. After the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Parag set social media on fire as his ‘search history’ accidentally got leaked on social media during a live stream. This year in February, Parag clarified the incident while speaking to City1016 Radio during an interview. He recalled that it all actually happened before the IPL, but his solid show in the T20 league last year saw the topic resurface on social media. It’s worth noting that the search history on Parag’s computer showed explicit searches related to Bollywood actresses Ananya Panday and Sara Ali Khan. Furious fan abused Riyan Parag for posting video game clips on Instagram In 2020, a year after Parag was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹20 lakh, the Assamese cricketer was abused by a fan on Instagram. Apparently, the RR star posted a clip of himself playing a video game on Instagram story. However, it did not sit well with the fan who seemingly followed Parag for cricket updates. The fan even gave advice to the RR player on his lifestyle and how he should focus on cricket. In reply to the brutal response, the all-rounder just took a screenshot of the message and posted it on his Instagram story with the caption ‘Wow’. New controversy for the Rajasthan Royals captain The latest trouble for the RR skipper is the ‘vaping incident’ that might even land him in legal trouble, along with disciplinary action as well, since the storage of e-cigarettes is criminalised. Moreover, Parag’s actions invoke Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which broadly covers “conduct that brings the game into disrepute.” Furthermore, under the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocols, dressing rooms are strictly designated as non-smoking zones. Parag has been on the receiving end of his attitude and over-the-top gestures and celebrations, which haven’t really translated to performances, especially in the IPL. Even in IPL 2026, he has scored just 117 runs so far in 9 matches at a strike rate of 124.47. So, fans have been blasting criticism at him once again despite his team’s strong standing in the points table.