Referee in Trouble Over Riyan Parag Smoking Row

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may penalize the match referee for bringing the game into disrepute by allowing a banned substance to reach the dressing room unchecked, as Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Riyan Parag was caught smoking an e-cigarette in the dressing room during his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) match, according to BCCI sources.

According to BCCI sources, there is no provision in the BCCI rulebook to penalize Riyan for smoking during the Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash in Mullanpur. However, the referee of the match may be the target of punishment due to the prohibited substance being brought into the locker room without any control.

While RR have collectively had a good IPL campaign, winning six and losing three matches, being a strong contender for the play-offs on 12 points and currently finishing in fourth place, Riyan himself is having a poor run with the bat, scoring just 117 runs in nine matches with a dismal average of 14.62, a strike rate of 124.46 and a best score of 29.

So far, RR’s spirited campaign has been dominated by the opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (400 runs in nine matches, over 238 with a strike rate of one century and two fifties) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (306 runs in nine matches, with a strike rate of over 158, three fifties), along with the pace duo of Jofra Archer (14 wickets at an average of 19.50). and Nandre Burger (nine wickets at an average of 32.77). Donovan Ferreira (182 runs in six innings at an average of 36.40 and a strike rate of over 158, including two fifties) provided some strong finishes for RR. Royals will face Delhi Capitals (DC) at home on Friday.