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

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. “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.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.