Irfan Pathan Addresses ‘Hookah’ Controversy After Old Interview Revived, Allegedly Targeting MS Dhoni

A resurfaced interview from five years prior has thrust Irfan Pathan back into the spotlight, igniting a fan debate and prompting a response from the cricketer. The interview, conducted during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, has gained traction due to a particular comment that is now perceived as a veiled criticism of former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The comment, made during a conversation about the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series, focused on Pathan’s personal habits and alluded to a lifestyle choice. The quote in question, “I do not have the habit of smoking hookah in someone’s room or talking about it. Everyone knows. Sometimes it is better if you do not talk about it. The job of a cricketer is to perform well on the field and I used to focus on this,” was quickly shared on social media. This sparked various reactions, with many interpreting it as a reference to Dhoni and his rumored off-field activities. The reaction was immediate, with many of Dhoni’s supporters defending their hero, while critics of Dhoni saw Pathan’s comment as validation of whispers. Pathan responded to the viral attention on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that his words were taken out of context. Pathan responded with a playful reference to the “hookah” comment when a fan asked about it. The situation has triggered deeper questions regarding the nature of relationships between teammates, and the role of the media and public perception. The strong friendship between Pathan and Dhoni in their playing days makes this episode all the more intriguing. While the full truth remains known only to Pathan and Dhoni, the resurfaced comment highlights the emotional bonds fans have with cricket and its prominent figures.