In a previous interview with SportsTak, Irfan Pathan stated that he was dismissed from the Indian team for not arranging a hookah for an unidentified cricket player. Despite the fact that the former all-rounder did not specifically name anyone, supporters deduced that he was referring to former India captain MS Dhoni.
The video quickly gained a lot of popularity and generated enough attention that old images, recordings, and interviews relating to Dhoni’s love of hookah reappeared online. He accused some of the supporters of misrepresenting the meaning of what he had said.
Irfan Pathan, however, spoke up and addressed the issue in a social media post.
“A video that is half a decade old is now making its appearance with a distorted context to the statement. A fan war? PR campaign?” On Wednesday, September 3, Irfan Pathan posted on his official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle.
Half decade old video surfacing NOW with a twisted context to the Statement. Fan war? PR lobby?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 3, 2025
The former all-rounder did discuss his 2008 chat with then-captain Dhoni in the first segment of the SportsTak video. According to Irfan Pathan, he learnt that the wicketkeeper-batter wasn’t pleased with his bowling from the news. Nevertheless, he dismissed any such idea when he asked Dhoni about it.
“During the Australia series, I asked him (MS Dhoni) once after Mahi made a comment claiming that Irfan Pathan was not bowling well. I asked him how I might better myself because I occasionally see deceptive remarks in the media, but Mahi replied, “Irfan, everything is going great, nothing is wrong.” However, the same things continued to occur, and I was unable to get the same explanation. because their dignity is highly valued by the Pathans. During the interview, Pathan stated, “Dekhiye, humse naa to room me jaa ke kisi ke liye Hookah set kaarne ki aadat hain” (Look, I don’t have the habit of going to someone’s room and setting up Hookah).
Following his retirement from international cricket in January 2020, Pathan has been enjoying a successful career as a commentator. The IPL 2025 commentary panel did not include the former Baroda cricket player. This came when broadcasters became increasingly displeased with him for interjecting personal grievances into his comments. But for the five-match Test series between India and England, he returned to the Hindi coverage of Sony Sports Network.
The 2025 Asia Cup, which takes place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to September 28, will be Pathan’s next commentary assignment. Being on the same commentary team as Ahmad Farhad, who will be the first Afghan to commentate in a major multi-nation competition, will make him a part of history. Sony’s broadcast of the eight-nation event features both of them.
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