BCCI warns Arshdeep Singh to halt vlogging after Chahal vaping video surfaces
Synopsis
The BCCI's crackdown on Arshdeep Singh's vlogging is not about content creation — it's about unsupervised documentation of player conduct. With Riyan Parag already fined for on-field vaping and now Chahal caught on camera, the board is tightening the leash on what players can film and share, signalling that the IPL's integrity framework now extends to social media.
Key Takeaways
BCCI warned Punjab Kings bowler Arshdeep Singh to stop vlogging after footage allegedly showed Yuzvendra Chahal vaping on a team flight to Hyderabad .
Clips from Arshdeep's YouTube vlog captured Chahal appearing to vape; the original version was later edited after going viral on social media.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for vaping in the dressing room earlier this season.
The BCCI issued an eight-page directive to all 10 IPL franchises on 8 May , tightening security and compliance measures.
Vaping is banned in India; the incidents mark the second such violation in the IPL this season.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has warned Punjab Kings bowler Arshdeep Singh to cease his behind-the-scenes vlogging activities, hours after the board issued stricter operational and security guidelines to all IPL franchises on 8 May. The directive followed the emergence of footage from one of Arshdeep's travel vlogs that allegedly showed teammate Yuzvendra Chahal vaping aboard a team flight to Hyderabad.
What the vlog showed
According to reports, clips extracted from Arshdeep's YouTube channel captured Chahal appearing to hide something under his left palm before mimicking a vaping gesture, with a faint puff of smoke visible in the footage. The original version of the vlog reportedly contained the full sequence, but the clip was subsequently edited after the footage circulated widely on social media. Neither the BCCI nor Punjab Kings has issued an official statement on the matter.
The broader compliance crackdown
Arshdeep's warning comes as part of a sweeping governance tightening. On the same day, the BCCI distributed an eight-page directive to all 10 IPL franchises, outlining new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and warning of stricter compliance measures and surprise inspections. The document, issued by the board's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), flagged serious concerns about league integrity and security.
Pattern of vaping violations
This is the second vaping-related incident in the IPL this season. Earlier, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was penalised for vaping inside the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. Parag was fined 25 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials. Vaping is prohibited under Indian law.
Implications for player conduct
The twin incidents — Parag's on-field violation and the Chahal footage from Arshdeep's vlog — have exposed gaps in player oversight during travel and downtime. The BCCI's decision to restrict vlogging signals a hardening stance on unsupervised content creation by players, particularly during team movements. Whether this warning extends to other franchises or players remains unclear.
Point of View
And a single smartphone can now expose what team management, franchises, and the board itself may not catch. The Parag fine was performative; this Chahal footage is damaging. The real question is whether the BCCI's new SOPs address the root cause — lax oversight during travel and downtime — or merely plug the leak by silencing the cameras.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the BCCI warn Arshdeep Singh to stop vlogging?
The BCCI warned Arshdeep Singh after footage from his YouTube vlog allegedly showed teammate Yuzvendra Chahal vaping aboard a team flight to Hyderabad. The clips went viral on social media, prompting the board to restrict his behind-the-scenes content creation.
What did the Chahal vaping video show?
According to reports, the footage captured Chahal appearing to hide something under his left palm before mimicking a vaping gesture, with a faint puff of smoke visible. The original vlog included the full sequence, but it was edited after the clips circulated online.
Has the BCCI made an official statement about the Chahal incident?
No. Neither the BCCI nor Punjab Kings has released an official statement about the Chahal footage or Arshdeep's vlogging warning as of now.
Is this the first vaping incident in the IPL this season?
No. Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was earlier fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for vaping in the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. The Chahal incident is the second vaping-related violation this season.
What new measures did the BCCI introduce on 8 May?
The BCCI issued an eight-page directive to all 10 IPL franchises, outlining new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and warning of stricter compliance measures and surprise inspections. The directive was issued by the board's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to protect league integrity and security.
