Irfan Pathan vs MS Dhoni: After hookah, old Army gloves controversy storms back online

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Sep 04, 2025, 17:27 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Irfan Pathan is facing renewed scrutiny after an old interview resurfaced where he suggested MS Dhoni favored players who joined him in smoking hookah, sparking controversy.

Irfan Pathan vs MS Dhoni: After hookah, old Army gloves controversy storms back online

Irfan Pathan and MS Dhoni

NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is once again trending on social media. An old interview of his has resurfaced, reigniting debates about his relationship with former India captain MS Dhoni. In that clip, Pathan suggested that Dhoni smoked hookah and allegedly preferred players who joined him, a claim that has triggered heated trolling and discussions among fans.Adding fuel to the chatter, Pathan’s earlier post criticising Dhoni for sporting army gloves during a match has also gone viral.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“We all know Lt Colonel MS Dhoni’s love for the armed forces, but ICC rules are the same for all. One question: will it be fine if any opposition team sports their armed forces logo?” Pathan had posted.

When will CSK legend MS Dhoni retire from IPL? Astrologer Greenstone Lobo predicts

Pathan’s international career ended in 2012, despite taking a five-wicket haul in his last ODI. While selectors never officially explained his exclusion, he has often hinted that Dhoni’s leadership played a role.

Across formats, Pathan left a notable mark: in 29 Tests, he scored 1,105 runs (one century, six fifties) and claimed 100 wickets, including his iconic 7/59. In 120 ODIs, he picked up 173 wickets and scored 1,544 runs, while in 24 T20Is, he managed 28 wickets and quick runs at a strike rate of 119.

Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article