The controversy involving Munaf Patel and Irfan Pathan regarding MS Dhoni’s alleged off-field "hookah gatherings" escalated into a major public debate following Patel's highly detailed interview with sports journalist Vimal Kumar on July 11, 2026. The dispute was reignited when an old video clip resurfaced, in which Irfan Pathan implied that players were excluded from the team for not joining the captain's "hookah sessions". Pathan stated, "I don’t have a habit of setting up hookah in someone’s room or talking unnecessarily," which was widely interpreted as a dig at Dhoni's inner circle.

 Patel slammed former players for fabricating or reviving dressing-room stories years down the line. He argued that if there was any truth to these claims, Pathan should have spoken out during his active playing days rather than trying to remain relevant now. Addressing the claim that players felt pressured to prepare hookahs in Dhoni's hotel room, the former Indian pacer bluntly stated, "You were making hookah yourself, right? Why were you making it then? If you had that self-respect, you should not have gone.” 

Patel highlighted that participating in these social circles was never mandatory. He named major stalwarts who maintained strict professional boundaries and never engaged in hookah sessions, including himself, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Ishant Sharma. Patel concluded by highlighting Dhoni's dignity, pointing out that Dhoni has maintained complete silence throughout the controversy. He cautioned critics, stating, "Imagine what would happen if he opens his mouth. His silence is his answer.”

"He used to let me do my work... If Plan A didn't work, he'd give Plan B": Munaf Patel on MS Dhoni's captaincy 

Former India fast bowler Munaf Patel has strongly praised MS Dhoni’s captaincy, hailing him as an exceptional leader who prioritized simplicity and bowler autonomy. While responding to the recent dressing room hookah controversy, Patel defended Dhoni by detailing exactly how the former Indian captain managed his squad and tactically trusted his teammates. Patel emphasized that Dhoni did not micro-manage his bowlers on the field. 

He gave his players the absolute trust to set their own fields and execute their primary strategies. According to Patel, Dhoni’s formula was very straightforward, “He used to let me do my work. Plan A would be mine. If it did not work, then he would give Plan B. It was very simple.” 

Former India fast bowler Munaf Patel has thrown his full support behind Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, declaring that India cannot win the 2027 ODI World Cup without them.

In the same interview, Patel firmly shut down arguments that the senior batting duo is finished. He insisted that their unparalleled experience and skill are vital to India's campaign in South Africa. "Sir, we cannot win the World Cup without them. If we have to win the '27 World Cup, we cannot win without them.”, the player said, supporting the cricketers. 

The former bowler argued that India's 2027 World Cup success hinges on the inclusion of Kohli and Rohit, arguing that they remain indispensable to the team's prospects. He highlighted the duo's remarkable long-term consistency, noting their extensive list of centuries in the 50-over format and their ability to intimidate opposing bowlers. Patel stated that the current young talent pool is not yet prepared to fill the void left by these legends, especially with the tournament only a few years away.