RR will next face DC in Jaipur on May 1.
The incident took place during RR's chase of PBKS' 222, which they managed with four balls in hand. Parag was seen smoking inside the RR dressing room, and the evidence was captured by several video cameras.
According to a BCCI statement on Thursday, Parag "was found to have breached Article 2.21 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute."
Significantly, the BCCI said it was "exploring other options to initiate proceedings for stringent action against the erring team, its officials, and player/s to ensure that the reputation of the IPL remains intact."
Now the RR head coach, Kumar Sangakkara, has admitted that such controversies are not doing any good to the team morale.
“Such controversies are no positives for the team, and all I can say is that both issues have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise. It is a reminder to the players that they have to maintain the team’s culture,” Sangakkara stated on the eve of RR’s match against Delhi Capitals, as quoted by Sportstar.
Regarding the game, the former captain of Sri Lanka stated that despite the Capitals' poor play, he anticipated a difficult contest from them.
“And it looks like another good pitch out there. We don’t expect anything less than the best out of DC,” Sangakkara added.
Delhi Capitals have won 3 games out of 8, and their previous two losses have been embarrassing ones. RR, on the other hand, will be high on confidence after ending the unbeaten streak of Punjab Kings.