IPL 2026: Yuzvendra Chahal is once again making headlines - this time for reasons away from cricket. A viral video allegedly showing the Punjab Kings spinner
vaping inside a flight has sparked fresh debate on social media and added another chapter to the leg-spinner's long list of off-field controversies.
The video, reportedly captured in a vlog posted by teammate Arshdeep Singh, allegedly shows while the Punjab Kings squad travelled to Hyderabad for their IPL 2026 clash against SunRisers Hyderabad.
While there has been no official confirmation regarding the authenticity of the footage, nor any statement from Chahal, Punjab Kings, or the BCCI, the incident has reignited discussion around player behaviour and athlete responsibility.
And for Chahal, this is far from the first controversy to place him under the spotlight.
The Latest Vaping Controversy
According to social media users, the alleged vaping clip appeared briefly in Arshdeep Singh's vlog before being removed later.
Fans claimed the footage was edited out after it started attracting attention online. Since vaping and smoking are prohibited aboard flights in India - and e-cigarettes themselves face strict legal restrictions - the allegations immediately triggered backlash.
If proven authentic, the incident could potentially attract disciplinary scrutiny from airlines or cricket authorities, although no action has been announced so far.
Earlier Smoking Allegation in Chandigarh
This is also not the first smoking-related controversy involving Chahal in recent months.
Earlier last month, another viral video surfaced online allegedly showing Chahal smoking a cigarette while driving in Chandigarh ahead of a Punjab Kings fixture.
The controversy grew further after social media users criticised the alleged disposal of the cigarette on the road, turning the discussion towards civic responsibility and public conduct.
However, Chahal's identity in the clip was never officially confirmed, and neither the player nor the franchise commented publicly on the matter.
High-Profile Divorce From Dhanashree Verma
Chahal's personal life also remained under heavy public scrutiny throughout 2024 and 2025.
The spinner and his actor-choreographer wife Dhanashree Verma, whom the Haryana cricketer married in December 2020, officially separated in March 2025 after filing for divorce by mutual consent.
The separation generated massive social media attention, with multiple reports speculating about lifestyle differences between the couple.
The controversy deepened when rumours linked Chahal with influencer RJ Mahvash during the divorce proceedings, though neither side publicly confirmed any relationship.
The Shocking Balcony Incident
One of the most disturbing stories involving Chahal emerged in 2022, when he revealed a traumatic incident from his early IPL days.
Speaking in a Rajasthan Royals video alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, Chahal described how a drunk Mumbai Indians teammate had allegedly dangled him from the balcony of a 15th-floor hotel room during IPL 2013.
"I was holding on to him, with my arms around his neck. If I had lost my grip, we were on the 15th floor," Chahal had said.
The player involved was never named publicly.
The revelation shocked fans and sparked widespread debate about player culture and dressing-room behaviour in earlier IPL years.
Tied Up and Forgotten in a Hotel Room
During the same conversation, Chahal also recounted another startling incident from 2011.
He revealed that former teammates Andrew Symonds and James Franklin had allegedly tied his hands and legs, taped his mouth, and abandoned him in a hotel room after Mumbai Indians won the Champions League T20.
According to Chahal, he remained trapped overnight until a hotel cleaner discovered him the next morning.
Though Chahal narrated the episode in a humorous tone, the story generated serious discussion about team culture and player treatment.
Still One of IPL 2026's Best Bowlers
Despite the controversies, Chahal's performances on the field remain elite. The leg-spinner has been one of Punjab Kings' most important bowlers this season. However, he has been tad unlucky as 50 percent of the catch chances created by the wily wrist-spinner have been spilled by his teams fielders.
However, the off-field attention has consistently followed him alongside his cricketing achievements. And with the vaping allegations now dominating headlines, Chahal once again finds himself balancing elite performances with growing scrutiny away from the game.
