Yuzvendra Chahal caught vaping inside plane? PBKS team deletes vlog: Fans wonder what now

IPL 2026 is garnering headlines not for cricket, knock-outs, wins, super overs, scuffles or sledging on the field, but more about cricketers getting caught vaping openly despite it being banned in India. Last week, Riyan Parag was slammed and fined by the BCCI for vaping in the dressing room.

And now, another video has gone viral wherein the Punjab Kings (PBKS) squad was flying to a new location for a cricket match and the team was vlogging on the airplane. However, veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal found himself embroiled in controversy after videos and photos surfaced online allegedly showing him using a vape on the flight.

The controversy erupted after PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh uploaded a video on his YouTube channel. In the clip, which has since gone viral among eagle-eyed fans, Chahal is seen sitting next to teammate Shashank Singh, and netizens noticed how he seemed to be secretly lighting and hiding a smoking object, presumably a vape or e-cigarette.

The viral clip shows a faint puff of smoke from his mouth, which he seemingly tried to hide, after which he coughs. The video has sparked debate online, with many wondering whether Chahal was genuinely vaping.

To add fuel to the fire, social media users claimed that the original video was quickly trimmed or deleted after the "vaping" moment was noticed. However, by then, the clip had already gone viral.

The incident has raised serious questions over security lapses, with fans asking how a player was able to clear airport security with a vaping device and, more importantly, use it in a high-risk environment like an aircraft.

A user wrote, "Look at Yuzvendra Chahal, man. He was risking everyone's safety by vaping an e-cigarette on the flight while Shashank Singh and other Punjab Kings players were around him. This is totally unacceptable and highly risky for everyone. Such behaviour violates flight safety rules and sets a poor example as a public figure. Strict action should be taken against those involved in this incident."

Another user said, "Punjab Kings and BCCI should take prompt action for misconduct. Vaping on a flight also indicates a security lapse. Strong punishment is needed."

BCCI tells Arshdeep Singh to stop vlogging

And now, as per reports, Punjab Kings fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was reportedly asked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stop vlogging on social media amid an ongoing off-field storm involving teammate Yuzvendra Chahal.

According to reports, the decision comes after a clip from Arshdeep's travel vlog sparked controversy online, with viewers alleging that Chahal was seen in a video linked to an incident involving vaping during team travel. The footage quickly went viral, triggering widespread debate on player conduct and privacy during official IPL commitments.

The vaping season of IPL 

This is not the first time vaping has sent shockwaves through the current season. In a recent incident during an IPL match against PBKS at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was caught on live broadcast using a vape in the dressing room.

In Parag's case, the BCCI acted swiftly, penalising him 25 per cent of his match fee and one demerit point for a breach of the Code of Conduct (Article 2.21: bringing the game into disrepute) at Level 1.

A BCCI statement warned: "The BCCI is exploring options for stringent action against erring teams and players to ensure the reputation of the IPL remains intact."

In Yuzvendra Chahal's case, things can get murkier, as under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, all flights are strictly non-smoking zones, including the use of electronic cigarettes. Serious violations can attract heavy fines, inclusion on the 'No-Fly List', and even potential imprisonment in extreme cases.

This is also not the first off-field controversy. Last month, a video had gone viral, allegedly showing Yuzvendra smoking while driving a luxury car at high speed and even throwing the cigarette butt out of the window on the road.