Irfan Pathan Alleges "PR Lobby" Behind Resurfaced MS Dhoni Video, Fueling Controversy

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has reacted sharply after an old interview clip linked to MS Dhoni resurfaced online, sparking heated debate on social media. The video, from years ago, featured Pathan reflecting on his communication with Dhoni during his playing days and included remarks that some interpreted as a cryptic reference to the former captain’s off-field preferences. As the clip gained traction, Pathan took to X with a cryptic post, questioning the motives behind its sudden reappearance. “Half decade old video surfacing NOW with a twisted context to the Statement. Fan war? PR lobby?” he wrote, suggesting the resurfacing may have been deliberate.In the interview, Pathan had recalled an incident from the 2008 Australia series when media reports suggested Dhoni was dissatisfied with his bowling. “Yes, I asked him. During the 2008 Australia series, Mahi bhai’s statement came out in the media that Irfan wasn’t bowling well. I thought I had bowled well throughout the series, so I went and asked Mahi bhai. Sometimes statements are twisted in the media, so I also wanted to clarify. Mahi bhai said, ‘No Irfan, there is nothing like this, everything’s going as per plans.’ When you get a reply like this, you believe that okay, you do what you can. Also if you keep asking for explanations again and again after that, you hurt your self-respect,” Pathan said. He followed that account with a pointed remark: “I don’t have a habit of setting up hookah in someone’s room or talking about this. Everyone knows. Sometimes if you don’t speak about it, it’s better. A cricketer’s job is to perform on the field and that is what I used to focus on.” The remarks have ignited a storm of online discussion, with fans divided over whether they were a dig at Dhoni or a broader comment on team culture at the time. By addressing the controversy through his latest post, Pathan has indicated his displeasure at the way the comments have been framed and interpreted, while hinting that the video surfacing again may be part of a deliberate attempt or scheme.