A five-year-old interview featuring Irfan Pathan has resurfaced, causing a stir among cricket fans. The focus of the renewed attention is a comment made by Pathan that has been widely perceived as a subtle dig at former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The interview, recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, includes a statement that has ignited a social media frenzy. During the interview, Pathan reflected on his cricketing career. The comment that stirred the controversy was, “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.” Many online users quickly interpreted this as a reference to Dhoni, leading to a surge in discussions and debates. The response to the video was mixed, with Dhoni’s fans defending him and critics viewing Pathan’s remarks as confirmation of long-standing rumors. Pathan responded on X (formerly Twitter), voicing his frustration with the misinterpretation of his words. The controversy emphasizes the power of social media in recontextualizing older interviews. The history between Pathan and Dhoni, who were known as close friends, adds another layer of intrigue to the current situation. The impact of the statement, and its true meaning, is a subject of debate, as fans consider the intent of the original comment.
