Former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is back in the spotlight after an old interview resurfaced on social media. Pathan also stated that the legendary MS Dhoni used to not eat without him, amid accusations that the former India captain allegedly favored players who joined him in smoking hookah.
Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20Is for India between 2003 and 2012. He was part of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup squad. Pathan was also in India’s squad for the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy but did not get a chance to play. He last represented the national cricket team in 2012 at the age of 27.
Ye Mere Bina Khana Khate They – Irfan Pathan on MS Dhoni
Another video of Irfan Pathan from a public event has recently resurfaced on social media. He was asked about his first friends in the Indian cricket team.
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Pathan named Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina, and MS Dhoni. He shared that the three players never ate without him, and he never ate without them. The former pace bowler stated that they had a strong friendship during their playing days.
“Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ye teen jo khiladi hote they, na to ye mere bina khana khate they, na to mai inke bina khana khata tha. Itni hamari zabarzast yaari thi jab hum saath mai khelte they [These three players never ate without me, and I never ate without them. That’s how strong our friendship was when we played together],” Irfan Pathan said.
Q: Who were your friends in the Indian cricket team?
Irfan Pathan: Uthappa, Raina and Dhoni 🙏🤣 pic.twitter.com/IAFPFggKYA
— ` (@WorshipDhoni) September 3, 2025
Irfan Pathan’s Record Across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is
Irfan Pathan ended his international career in 2012. Notably, he took a five-wicket haul in his final ODI. While selectors and management never publicly explained his exclusion, Pathan has stated that MS Dhoni’s leadership played a role in his departure.
Pathan scored 1,105 runs in Test cricket at an average of 31.57, including one century and six fifties, and picked up 100 wickets at 32.26, with seven five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls. He recorded his best figures of 7/59 in the format.
The left-arm pacer played in 120 ODI matches, scoring 1,544 runs at 23.39 and taking 173 wickets at 29.72, with a best of 5/27. Pathan played 24 T20 Internationals, picking up 28 wickets at a strike rate of 16.5 and scoring 172 runs at a strike rate of 119.44.
MS Dhoni Retired as One of India’s Most Successful Captains
MS Dhoni is one of India’s most successful captains. He is the only captain to have won all three major ICC white-ball tournaments, guiding India to victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.
Dhoni played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is in his career. He scored 10,773 runs in ODIs at an impressive average of 50.57, including 10 centuries and 73 fifties, while he scored 1,617 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 126.13. The batter ended his Test career with 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09.
Dhoni also led India to notable Test victories, including series wins in New Zealand (2009), Durban (2010), and at Lord’s (2014). The veteran cricketer was seen in action for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025, where his team finished at the bottom of the table.
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