Irfan Pathan Accuses MS Dhoni of Preferring Players Who Hosted His Hookah Sessions
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has reignited a long-standing controversy after a viral video resurfaced in which he appeared to suggest that MS Dhoni favored players who set up hookah in his room.
In the clip, Pathan says, “I don’t have a habit of setting up hookah in someone’s room … A cricketer’s job is to perform on the field, and that is what I used to focus on.” He implied that not participating in Dhoni’s off-field social circles may have affected his selection.
When the clip caused a stir on social media, Pathan responded with a mix of humor and defiance. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Half-decade-old video surfacing NOW with a twisted context to the Statement. Fan war? PR lobby?” He also addressed a fan directly, responding, “Mein or @msdhoni sath baith kar pienge” (“I’ll sit with Dhoni and smoke together”).
Critics and fans are divided. Some interpret Pathan’s remarks as a serious accusation of favoritism and a toxic team culture. Others believe he exaggerated or joked, pointing to the resurfacing of media personalities and PR narratives behind the renewed debate.
Cricket commentator Aakash Chopra has defended Dhoni, saying there’s no clear evidence that captaincy decisions were made based on socializing in hookah sessions.
Whether the statement is a reflection of broader concerns about team dynamics or simply a light-hearted jab, it’s sparked renewed discussions about favoritism and off-field bonding in elite cricket.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
