A viral video featuring Yuzvendra Chahal inside an airplane during IPL 2026 has sparked major reactions online after fans claimed the spinner was seen smoking mid-flight.
India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has landed in controversy after a video circulating online appeared to show him allegedly smoking inside an airplane during the ongoing IPL 2026 season. The clip surfaced through a vlog uploaded by Arshdeep Singh on his official YouTube channel.
In the now-viral footage, Chahal was seated alongside Shashank Singh while travelling with the Punjab Kings squad. Social media users quickly noticed that the leg-spinner appeared to be lighting and concealing a smoking object during the journey.
Soon after the clip spread online, several users shared screenshots and snippets across social media platforms, causing the incident to gain widespread attention within hours.
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Incident Draws Comparisons With Riyan Parag Controversy
The controversy has emerged only weeks after Riyan Parag faced disciplinary action for allegedly vaping inside the dressing room during IPL 2026. At that time, the Board of Control for Cricket in India imposed a penalty on the Rajasthan Royals captain, including a fine amounting to 25 per cent of his match fees along with a demerit point.
Following that incident, the BCCI had also indicated that stricter measures could be introduced to avoid similar controversies in the future.
“The BCCI is also exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials and player/s to ensure that the reputation of IPL remains intact,” it said in a statement.
With the latest visuals involving Chahal now going viral, discussions have intensified regarding whether the spinner could also face disciplinary scrutiny if any violation is officially established.
Smoking Rules Inside Aircraft Could Lead to Serious Consequences
As per Aircraft Rules, 1937, smoking inside an aircraft is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns. The restriction applies not only to traditional cigarettes but also to electronic smoking devices, as they can create serious hazards during flights.
If authorities determine that any rules were violated, the matter could potentially attract legal consequences apart from disciplinary measures from cricket authorities.
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Reports also noted that this is not the first time Chahal has faced criticism over smoking-related visuals, as a separate video had recently circulated online allegedly showing him smoking while driving a car and throwing ash onto the road.
As of now, neither Chahal nor the Punjab Kings franchise have issued any official statement regarding the viral airplane video.
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