A video featuring former India skipper MS Dhoni and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has taken social media by storm after the duo were captured together at a private gathering. The off-field moment caught widespread attention online due to a candid remark from Dhoni, who was heard mentioning he was stepping away briefly to smoke hookah.
Dhoni and Pant spotted partying, 'Hookah' remark goes viral
The reunion took place following India's successful tour of Sri Lanka, where the visitors secured the two-match Test series 1-0 with Pant featuring in both games despite battling a minor injury. On the other hand, Dhoni has been away from competitive action after sitting out the entire 2026 Indian Premier League season while recovering from a persistent muscle issue.
In the viral clip, the two stars pose alongside friends in a relaxed setting with background music playing. As the photo ends, Pant appears to signal to Dhoni, prompting the legendary captain to head toward an adjacent room while jokingly remarking, "Hookah pee ke aa raha hoon". Tables with drinks and cocktail glasses are visible in the background, though the exact date and venue of the clip remain unverified.
However, Sports Tak does not corroborate the precise conversation between the duo, as to who made the statement and to whom it was directed.
Watch the video here:
Dhoni’s viral remark revived past accounts of his affinity for shisha, most notably shared by former Australian captain George Bailey, who previously detailed Dhoni’s welcoming, open-door environment for teammates during his captaincy years.
The rapport between the two wicketkeeper-batters has been on display leading up to this moment. Before embarking on the Sri Lanka tour, Pant trained in Ranchi, where Dhoni was seen dropping him off post-practice. The pair were also spotted together at Lord’s during India’s third ODI against England, underscoring the strong bond Dhoni has maintained with Pant throughout his rise in international cricket.
That preparation paid off during the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, where Pant compiled 168 runs across three innings at an average of 56. His campaign featured two half-centuries, headlined by a crucial 66-run knock in the second Test at Galle. With that performance, Pant etched his name in the record books as the first Indian player to clear the ropes 100 times in Test cricket. His overall red-ball record now stands at 3,725 runs across 90 innings—comprising eight hundreds and 21 fifties, highlighted by an unbeaten 159 against Australia in Sydney. Looking ahead, Pant’s next Test challenge will be the upcoming series against New Zealand, as India aims to solidify its position in the 2025–27 World Test Championship standings.