Aakash Chopra launches counterattack on Irfan Pathan after MS Dhoni's hookah controversy reignites

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has strongly reacted to the controversy that erupted after an old video of Irfan Pathan resurfaced, where the former Indian all-rounder accused MS Dhoni of favoritism. Pathan had even indirectly blamed MS Dhoni for his shortened India career.

In the viral interview, Irfan Pathan mentioned that he can’t “set up hookah in someone's room to please him” for the selection in the playing XI.

Aakash Chopra defends MS Dhoni amid Irfan Pathan controversy

Pathan had also mentioned that he prioritized his performance on the field rather than engaging in off-field pleasantries or trying to gain favor with Dhoni.

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Defending MS Dhoni, Chopra explained that it is natural for the captains and coaches to lean toward players they have spent more time with, especially under pressure.

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He also stressed that the captain would always pick the best team to win games, and this can’t be called bias or favoritism. Aakash Chopra was quoted as saying by CREX: “You want to pick your best team.

But if you have seen someone more in front of you and playing under pressure, you move towards them, and that is normal. You will see that players from where the coach or captain is would be preferred more. That is not bias, not favoritism. It is just the fact that they have spent more time with them.”

Aakash Chopra defends MS Dhoni’s decisions as merit-driven

The cricket pundit also highlighted the immense responsibility resting on a captain’s shoulders, saying winning matches and tournaments is their ultimate priority.

The former Indian batter also pointed out that the decisions are made based on who can help the team succeed, not on off-field interactions or social dynamics, ruling out any favoritism under Dhoni’s captaincy.

Chopra further added, “Beyond that, what happens in one room, how many people sit, how many don't—I don't think a successful captain worth his salt is going to get influenced by that factor. At the end he has to pick a team that can win and players who can take him to that destination.

So, there is a lot riding on the captain's shoulders, and the stakes are high. I don't think that if someone does not spend more time with the captain, they would be adversely treated or dropped.”

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Irfan Pathan's India career

Notably, Irfan Pathan burst onto the international scene in 2003 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy with a Test debut against Australia in Adelaide, followed by his ODI debut against the same team in 2004. The former Indian all-rounder had made his T20I debut in 2006 against South Africa.

Pathan quickly made his mark with his swing, pace, and handy batting. He achieved the rare feat of a Test hat-trick and played a key role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup triumph. Despite his versatility, Pathan’s international career did not reach the heights he expected.

Over his international career, Pathan represented India in just 29 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20Is. His last appearance for India came in the 2012 T20 World Cup against South Africa, while his final ODI was against Sri Lanka the same year, where he had scalped five wickets but was still dropped and never recalled.

And at that time, Dhoni’s statement that Pathan didn’t bowl well went viral, but later the former Indian captain refused when the latter inquired about the same.