The footage emerged from one of pacer Arshdeep Singh’s behind-the-scenes travel vlogs uploaded on YouTube. In the now-viral segment, Chahal, seated beside teammate Shashank Singh, was seen holding an object in his hand while making a gesture resembling vaping. A small puff of smoke-like mist appeared on camera before the spinner coughed, instantly fuelling speculation online.
The clip quickly drew criticism from social media users, especially in the wake of the recent vaping controversy involving Riyan Parag. Many users accused Chahal of vaping onboard a flight, an act that would violate airline regulations.
However, as the video spread online, several users pointed out that the object in Chahal’s hand did not resemble a vape device. Instead, many believed it looked more like a spray or mist-producing gadget, suggesting the spinner may have been joking or staging a prank in response to ongoing online discussions surrounding cricketers and vaping.
Interestingly, reports suggest that the original version of Arshdeep Singh’s vlog included the full sequence. The clip currently available on his YouTube channel no longer contains the controversial moment, although edited recordings of the incident continue to circulate widely across social media platforms.
This is not the first time Chahal has gone viral over alleged smoking-related visuals. Earlier, another clip surfaced online that purportedly showed the leg-spinner smoking while driving a luxury car. However, the authenticity of that footage was never independently verified.
The latest controversy stands in contrast to Chahal’s recent remarks about making significant lifestyle changes to improve his fitness. Speaking on former South African captain AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel ahead of IPL 2026, the 35-year-old revealed that he had quit alcohol more than six months ago to better manage injuries and maintain peak physical condition.
