Irfan Pathan, the former Indian Cricketer, has recently made a fair share of hype and reaction through a viral video where he made some shocking revelations in regards to the selection of the team and the alleged favoritism by the team captain, MS Dhoni, during his days of captaincy.
It is a hot subject due to the sensitive issue of politics of selection in the Indian cricket which has been the subject of many controversies and debates by both the fans and the observers.
What did Irfan Pathan Say Regarding MS Dhoni?
An interview that surfaced in 2020 saw Irfan Pathan speak openly about his career and his relationship with the captain at the time, MS Dhoni. This time, he recalled that in the 2008 series in Australia, the media had published that Dhoni was furious about his performance with the ball.
Wary of this, Irfan himself went to Dhoni for an explanation. Dhoni assured him, indicating that everything was as planned and there was no problem with his performance. Irfan took this explanation but mentioned that constant seeking of explanation would damage a player’s ego.
Most significantly, Irfan made a veiled statement generally understood to suggest favoritism within the team. He explained he did not have the practice of “setting up a hookah in someone’s room” or bowing down to secure selection. This ambiguous remark convinced numerous people that Irfan was indirectly accusing Dhoni of fostering favoritism with players who appeased him outside the game, sharing common indulgences such as smoking hookah together. Although Irfan never made this specific reference about Dhoni, it was widely speculated on social media that he was talking about Dhoni, who was reportedly biased in his choices of the team. Irfan said that he only concentrated on performance and did not connect with off-field camaraderie to score favors.
Fans’ Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The internet video rapidly elicited an enormous reaction on social networking sites. Cricket fans and followers inundated Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms with memes, arguments, and discussions regarding the hookah remark and what it entails. Most users saw the humor in the thought of players “setting up a hookah” for team selection, and thus began a meme fest that consumed the web.
Others defended Dhoni by highlighting his record as being among the best captains India has ever had and questioning the validity of making such accusations based on pure hearsay.
Why Did Irfan Make These Comments?
The statements of Irfan Pathan and his interview suggest that he is more disappointed with the way his international career ended. A talented, versatile athlete, despite playing a crucial role in the 2007 T20 World Cup win of India and other wins too, Irfan had a high and a low in his career due to injury and the pressure of the team. He played his final international in 2012 and had an impressive five-wicket haul, but he was omitted thereafter.
The allusions to “hookah setting” represent a larger grievance about the culture, as he suggests, where player choices were dictated by interpersonal relationships as opposed to merit and skill. Irfan sought to explain that he was not the kind of person to do these things out of self-interest, instead concentrating on his play and professional integrity. His statements also suggest how team politics and favoritism can extend to influence the careers of players, sometimes pushing aside worthy talent.
Also Read: GST 2.0: Government Slaps 40% GST on IPL Tickets, Total Tax May Go Up to 65%
Irfan’s Reaction Following the Video Went Viral
As the video went viral again in 2025, Irfan responded immediately on social media to counter the revived controversy. He referred to it as a “fan war” and stated that the clip was utilized by a “PR lobby” to distort his words out of context. He explained that he had not meant to quote names or create controversies but was narrating his own experience.
In a humorous retort to a troll who was mocking him over the hookah comment, Irfan joked, “Me and MS Dhoni will sit together and smoke,” highlighting his light-hearted nature and readiness to close down negativity in a humorous manner.
Irfan Pathan’s bombshell regarding MS Dhoni in the viral interview is a treasure trove of an interesting chapter in Indian cricket history, where off-field friendships and accused favoritism had been suggested to be a factor in team selection. Though Irfan never called out Dhoni as indulging in players who spoiled him, the “hookah” remark ignited a wealth of mixed reactions from fans, from memes to serious discussions.
