Social Media Erupts as Irfan Pathan Clarifies MS Dhoni Hookah Controversy, Urging Fans to Move On

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Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has spoken out about a resurfaced five-year-old interview that sparked a new wave of buzz and social media frenzy yesterday. The video, in which Pathan subtly hints at MS Dhoni and ‘hookah sessions,’ has sparked debates again about favoritism, team dynamics, and media manipulation.

The Resurfaced Clip and Its Fallout

The video, captured in May 2020, shows Pathan describing his encounter with MS Dhoni during the 2008 CB Series in Australia, when the media questioned his bowling action.

He described how Dhoni assured him that 'there was nothing like that' going on. Pathan continued, "I don't have a habit of setting up a hookah in someone's room…" to mean he wouldn't go out of his way to ingratiate himself with socializing outside of cricket.

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As the interview clip resurfaced on social media, it elicited varied reactions - some fans accused Pathan of casting aspersions on Dhoni, while others ridiculed the statement through memes.

Pathan's Response: "Fan War? PR Lobby?"

Responding quickly, Pathan turned to X (formerly Twitter) to brush aside the renewed publicity as miscontextualized, wondering if it was being fueled by 'fan war' or orchestrated 'PR lobby' strategies.

A Humorous Retort

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When a fan playfully mentioned the 'hookey' issue within a birthday tribute to Mohammed Shami, Pathan fired back in a light-hearted and friendlier manner:

"Mein or @msdhoni saath beth kar pienge ;)" ("Dhoni and I will sit and enjoy together")

This playful reply appears to defuse tension and underscores Pathan’s intent not to let the controversy spiral out of control.

Broader Implications and Public Sentiment

The controversy highlights two overlapping issues:

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  • Team Dynamics & Public Perception: Pathan’s quote reopens old debates about politics in Indian cricket and nepotism under Dhoni’s captaincy.
  • Role of Media and Fan Culture: His mention of PR manipulation and fan wars highlights the rapidity with which a previous statement can be sparked and manipulated, often giving rise to public drama.

Final Thoughts: Pathan's Legacy and Relationship with Dhoni

Regardless of the outcry, Pathan's broader musings on his relationship with Dhoni and teammates, such as Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa, depict an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie.

In one of the videos, which also went viral, he jokingly observed: "Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni - they wouldn't eat without me, and I wouldn't eat without them."

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The above paragraph emphasizes that while remarks like ‘hookah matter’ may spark controversy, genuine bonds of friendship formed during childhood still stand strong. For Irfan Pathan, the 'hookah' scandal, being based on an offhand comment many years ago, is a testimony to how narratives constructed around him can suddenly release a bite without warning.

His cautious approach - questioning motive, alleviating tension through humor, and bringing up friendly ties - all pointed toward his wish to move past the moment and be protective of his legacy of both on-field and off-field identity.