Indian cricketer Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals) was caught on camera vaping while out with friends in Jaipur, which has raised controversy across social media platforms. This year’s IPL has seen Parag excel as an explosive batsman. His most recent IPL, when he scored 350 runs off a strike-rate of 165, therefore, he now finds himself apologising publicly (X).
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Dealing with Stressors of Fame
While this incident may not be typical of an athlete’s life in professional sports, it does speak to the fact that there are many other athletes like Parag.
According to Dr Anjali Desai, all general-purpose athletes experience the “constant grind of the IPL, which includes: many games, travel, sponsorship opportunities and being constantly judged via social media 24 hours a day—and the stress these can produce can lead youth to the excessive use of fear-relieving substances. “
In fact, statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau indicate that the increase in substance use among young adult males (ages 18-25) living in urban areas is on the rise (an increase of 25% since 2023), and it is evident through the increased usage of both nicotine vapour and e-cigarettes.
Sometimes Mental Health Cracks Beyond Stress
Could it solely be stress? The realm of mental health professionals points to larger fractures. The journey Parag has travelled from being an Under-19 World Cup Champion to a staple on the IPL stage resembles many other young athletes’ paths, such as Prithvi Shaw’s disciplinary challenges or Ishan Kishan’s frustrations on the bench.
Can Systemic Change Occur?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enforces anti-doping regulations in order to prohibit engagement in prohibited substances. As IPL 2026 unfolds, will professional leagues continue to contribute to the development of the minds of young athletes? Will they have an opportunity to continue their legacy, or will we see more stars fading away?
