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Legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni has once again been embroiled in a major controversy, but this time one of his 2011 World Cup-winning teammates has come out strongly in his support. As an old dressing room controversy started making headlines again, former India fast bowler Munaf Patel came forward to defend his former captain.
He questioned why some former cricketers were talking about Dhoni’s off-field dressing-room culture only after he retired from the game several years ago. Munaf made it clear that he did not understand why these issues were being raised now.
Munaf Patel praised MS Dhoni’s captaincy and said that he always gave complete freedom to his bowlers on the field. He told that Dhoni allowed the bowlers to follow his plans first. Only if those plans did not work would they suggest another option. Recently, MS Dhoni received an emotional birthday wish from Tamil Nadu CM.
‘Are this for the followers?’ Munaf Patel’s attack amid MS Dhoni hookah controversy
Speaking about the hookah controversy, the 2011 World Cup winner said that no player was forced to attend such gatherings. He revealed that many Indian players, including himself, never took part in those sessions. After the claims of Irfan Pathan and Manoj Tiwari, Patel said that they are talking about this only to increase their followers on social media and earn money.
Munaf Patel told sports journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel, “People talk a lot about MS Dhoni now. If you were honest, you could have spoken then. Now after retiring, you can tell anything, but it means nothing. You are just increasing your followers or bringing them down.”
He further said that the former Indian captain has never reacted publicly to such allegations and his silence reflects his personality, and that is why he keeps earning respect from everyone.
Munaf said, “Has he answered anyone till date? Imagine what would happen if he opened his mouth. His silence is his answer. He is not talking about anything; that is why he is Dhoni. You are sitting at home and earning money by talking, so you can tell anything.”
Munaf Patel gave a big answer to the hookah controversy and took the names of Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar.
Even the former fast bowler revealed that former teammates like Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were not involved in MS Dhoni’s hookah session as everyone had the freedom to make their own choice.
Patel further said, “You were making hookah yourself, right? Then why were you making it? People have this problem that they had to go to his room and make hookah. If you had so much self-respect, you should not have gone. Munaf Patel and Gautam Gambhir never did that. Ishant Sharma, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar never did that. Now why are you fighting for it?”
Munaf Patel reveals why India’s 2011 World Cup win still feels so special
Recalling India’s memorable 2011 World Cup win, Munaf described it as one of the greatest and most special moments of his career and said that lifting the trophy at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai made the achievement even more special as the team wanted to make this tournament unforgettable for Sachin Tendulkar.
Munaf said that the atmosphere inside the dressing room after India’s World Cup win was something he can never forget. He signed off by saying, “There were legends in that dressing room, and that atmosphere is still before my eyes, and I can never forget those moments.”