Five years ago, Irfan Pathan sat down for an interview – calm, composed, and nostalgic – recalling stories from his cricketing past during the quiet days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Fast forward to 2025, and that same interview has unexpectedly resurfaced, now making waves across social media and triggering a fierce fan war.
The controversy? A subtle gesture – now being interpreted as a veiled dig at former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The Viral Video That Reignited Old Flames
The interview, originally given to Sports Tak, featured Irfan Pathan reflecting on the iconic 2008 Commonwealth Bank (CB) Series in Australia. What caught the internet’s attention, however, was not the cricketing insight but a particular comment made with a cryptic undertone.
“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,” Pathan said in the video.
---Advertisement---
At first glance, the statement might seem harmless. But once it went viral, social media exploded with interpretations – many concluding that Irfan was taking a subtle shot at MS Dhoni, hinting at off-field habits that had long been speculated but never confirmed.
Fan Wars Break Out
Unsurprisingly, Dhoni’s loyal fanbase came to his defense in full force, slamming Irfan Pathan for allegedly trying to tarnish the legacy of their beloved “Captain Cool.”
Some accused Irfan of “being bitter,” while others criticized him for dragging up old, irrelevant controversies.
Meanwhile, Dhoni detractors saw the comment as validation of long-standing rumors – adding fuel to a fire that had long been simmering just beneath the surface.
Irfan Pathan Responds: “Distorted Context, PR Lobby?”
As the clip snowballed into a trending topic, Irfan finally broke his silence on X (formerly Twitter). His tone was firm, but weary – clearly frustrated by the narrative being spun.
“Half a decade old video is now coming out with the context of the statement being distorted. Fan war? PR lobby?” Irfan posted.
He suggested that the viral nature of the clip may be intentionally amplified by PR machinery, or simply the result of fans misinterpreting the intent behind his words.
The “Hookah” Joke That Went Viral Again
The controversy didn’t end there.
When a fan cheekily asked, “Pathan bhai, what happened to that hookah???”, Irfan played along with a cryptic yet playful response:
“Will I or @msdhoni sit together and drink ;).”
The wink emoji said a lot without saying much at all – neither confirming nor denying, but perhaps suggesting that there’s no real bad blood, or at least none he wants to air in public.
Friendship, Fallout, and the Future
For years, Irfan Pathan and MS Dhoni were known to be close friends, with plenty of on-field camaraderie and mutual respect. That’s what makes this entire episode all the more surprising — and emotional for fans who grew up watching the two share the Indian dressing room.
While Irfan has faced criticism, many have also come to his defense, pointing out that his full comment was about professionalism and keeping focus on cricket not necessarily a targeted jab.
Still, in the age of viral videos and instant outrage, context is often the first casualty.
Last Thoughts
Whether the remark was taken out of context or intentionally interpreted a certain way, one thing is clear: the cricketing world still holds deep emotional ties to its heroes and the stories, memories, and rumors that come with them.
In the end, only Irfan and Dhoni know the full truth behind that comment. But for now, the fans will debate, dissect, and draw their own conclusions as they always do.
And maybe, just maybe, somewhere behind the scenes, two old friends are laughing at the chaos over a cup of tea… not hookah.
