Manoj Tiwary Alleges Favoritism and Hookah Sessions During MS Dhoni’s Captaincy

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Indian cricket team during MS Dhoni’s captaincy. He revealed that hookah was smoked within the team quarters, and these sessions were attended primarily by players close to Dhoni. These revelations echo similar claims made by Irfan Pathan and other former players, including Yograj Singh, who have voiced concerns about favoritism under Dhoni’s leadership. Tiwary spoke candidly about the situation, stating that these hookah sessions were an open secret within the team, where players understood that being in the captain’s good graces increased their chances of selection. Despite a strong domestic record, Tiwary’s international career was limited to 12 ODIs and 3 T20Is, including a memorable century early in his ODI career, before being dropped. Tiwary explained the sessions weren’t mandatory but strategic, with players aware of who was close to the captain. While the discussions weren’t secretive, the information spread amongst the players. Dhoni retired from international cricket five years ago, yet maintains significant influence and respect within Indian cricket.