Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has finally spoken out about the recent “hookah” controversy that unexpectedly pulled in MS Dhoni and went viral on social media. Irfan, however, avoided giving a detailed clarification and instead suggested that his words from an old interview had been distorted, either as part of online fan wars or by public relations lobbies.
The controversy began when a years old interview of Irfan Pathan resurfaced in which he recalled an incident from 2008, when he was dropped from the Indian team during the Australia series. At that time, he said he came across a media report quoting MS Dhoni, the then captain, as saying that Irfan was not bowling well. Feeling that he had performed decently, Irfan Pathan confronted Dhoni about the statement. According to him, Dhoni denied making such a remark and assured him that everything was going according to plan.
In the same interview, Irfan Pathan also commented that he was not in the habit of arranging a hookah in anyone’s hotel room or being part of such activities. He did not name any player but the Internet quickly linked his words to MS Dhoni. Old photos and articles of Dhoni smoking socially at parties began circulating online, fueling speculation and drawing the World Cup-winning captain into the debate.
As the video went viral, Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend himself, writing that a half-decade-old clip was now being shared with “twisted context”. He questioned whether it was simply a case of fan wars or a targeted PR campaign. When a fan teased him online about the matter, Irfan Pathan responded light-heartedly, saying that he and Dhoni would share it together, adding a smiley to soften the controversy.
Here is the tweet made by Irfan Pathan:
https://x.com/IrfanPathan/status/1963222054561353805
Irfan Pathan’s career itself had seen highs and lows. After the 2008 Australia tour, he played just one more Test match before fading from the longest format. He eventually ended with 29 Tests, taking 100 wickets and scoring more than a thousand runs, solid numbers for an all-rounder, but many believed he never reached his full potential.
As for Dhoni, he has chosen not to comment on the issue at all. The Chennai Super Kings captain is currently focusing on preparations for the IPL 2026 season, which is widely expected to be his final appearance in the tournament.
The controversy may fade as quickly as it surfaced but it serves as another reminder of how easily old remarks can take on a new life in the age of social media.
What is your take on this controversy? Do let us know.
