Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, has contributed to the ongoing debate surrounding the team’s culture during MS Dhoni’s captaincy. He stated that hookah sessions occurred within the team’s environment, and access to these gatherings was limited to players favored by Dhoni. These revelations add weight to similar accusations made by Irfan Pathan and Yograj Singh, among others, who have voiced concerns about preferential treatment under Dhoni’s leadership. Tiwary shared that attending these sessions was an unwritten means for players to gain favor and potentially secure a place in the team. Despite a notable domestic record, Tiwary played a limited number of international matches. He explained that the sessions were not mandatory, but players knew which ones to attend. Details about the meetings circulated among team members. Dhoni, though retired, continues to be a highly influential and respected figure in Indian cricket.
