Overview

• Irfan Pathan said a five-year-old interview clip was misinterpreted after social media linked his 'hookah' remark to MS Dhoni.
• Yograj Singh criticized Dhoni, Kapil Dev and Bishan Singh Bedi, alleging poor treatment of players and claiming the team was 'destroyed' after 2011.
• Yograj also asserted that Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh had raised concerns about their handling under Dhoni’s captaincy.
• In separate comments, Yograj labeled Virat Kohli and Dhoni as 'backstabbers' who were fearful of Yuvraj Singh, while calling Sachin Tendulkar his only true friend.
• Aakash Chopra countered the favoritism narrative, saying captains naturally lean toward players they have seen perform under pressure and that off‑field socializing does not drive selection.