Manoj Tiwary, a former member of the Indian cricket team, has brought forth new allegations concerning the team’s environment during MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Tiwary claims that hookah smoking was a common practice within the team’s quarters, and these sessions were exclusive to players who maintained a close relationship with Dhoni. These allegations align with previous criticisms from Irfan Pathan and Yograj Singh, among others, who have also suggested that Dhoni’s leadership was marked by favoritism. Describing his experience, Tiwary shared that players understood the link between participating in these sessions and securing a spot in the playing eleven. His international career saw him play only a limited number of matches despite his domestic success. He explained the strategic nature of these gatherings, which were not compulsory but served as a clear indicator of the captain’s preferences. These discussions weren’t widely publicized, but information disseminated quickly, creating an environment where players were aware of who was included. Even after retiring from international cricket, Dhoni’s influence within Indian cricket remains substantial.
