The controversy surrounding MS Dhoni’s leadership has resurfaced with former cricketer Manoj Tiwary supporting earlier claims made by Irfan Pathan. Tiwary has revealed that during Dhoni’s tenure as captain, there were occasions when hookah was consumed within the Indian cricket team, and only players who were close to Dhoni were present during these sessions.
This revelation follows similar allegations made by other former players, including Yograj Singh, who have suggested that favoritism was a recurring issue under Dhoni’s leadership.
Tiwary’s First-Hand Account of the Sessions
Speaking to InsideSport, Tiwary stated that players who aligned themselves with the captain were aware of the informal sessions where hookah was present. “We saw it closely. There were sessions where hookah was consumed, and players who were closer to the captain were in the room,” he said. Tiwary also explained that players would “butter up” the captain to secure their place in the team.
Tiwary’s career, despite his strong first-class and List A record, was limited to just 12 ODIs and three T20Is. He scored a century in just his sixth ODI appearance, but was dropped soon after. This prompted him to comment on the internal dynamics of the team.
The Smart Play: Understanding the Unspoken Dynamics
Tiwary elaborated that it was never compulsory for players to be part of these hookah sessions. Only those who knew about the room being open for such activities attended. “The players were smart enough to know who was in close quarters with the captain at that time,” Tiwary added.
While the sessions were not secret, they were not openly advertised either. Discussions from these private gatherings only made their way into the broader team gossip the following day.
Dhoni’s Lasting Impact on Indian Cricket
Despite stepping away from international cricket five years ago, MS Dhoni remains a highly influential figure in the sport. His leadership continues to be a topic of both admiration and controversy, and his legacy is still a key point of discussion in Indian cricket circles.
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