Ex-Australian cricketer’s wife recalls the baffling fandom MS Dhoni has in Chennai: “I still get chills”

Ben Cutting's wife Erin Holland recalled her first visit to Chepauk, as she talked about the fans' craze when MS Dhoni walked out to bat.

Ex-Australian cricketer’s wife recalls the baffling fandom MS Dhoni has in Chennai: “I still get chills”

Ex-Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting's wife Erin Holland expressed her admiration for MS Dhoni and his massive fanfare in Chennai. (via Instagram)

Former Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting‘s wife Erin Holland recalled a fascinating moment when she saw MS Dhoni walk out to bat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the IPL. She talked about the fans’ craze, surrounding the ex-Indian captain.

MS Dhoni has been one of Indian cricket’s most revered figures, having a massive fan base all around the world. The 43-year-old former Indian skipper is credited with having guided the Indian team to its second ICC World Cup title in 2011, and a T20 World Cup (2007) and a Champions Trophy (2013), later on. Despite having already retired from international cricket, Dhoni still attracts massive crowds.

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The now 43-year-old wicket-keeper batsman, will play his 18th Indian Premier League season for the Chennai Super Kings, a franchise he has guided to five IPL trophies. Despite his advancing age, MS Dhoni has shown no signs of slowing down (at least on grounds of power-hitting). However, Dhoni has limited his role in the side, batting down the order. He still mesmerizes fans with his short yet energetic cameos, firing at a strike rate of 220.55.

Erin Holland, the wife of ex-Australian star and 2016 IPL winner Ben Cutting, on a recent podcast, shared an anecdote of her captivating experience of watching MS Dhoni’s batting spectacle at Chepauk. In a discussion with Michael Clarke, Holland warmly recalled her very first journey to Chennai, back in 2015. It was during a period when her husband, Ben Cutting, played for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

A cricket enthusiast herself, Holland enthusiastically described the moment when MS Dhoni walked out to bat, amidst a wave of cheers and a celebratory atmosphere in the stadium. She emphasized that she had never before encountered such an overwhelming display of support. She further elaborated that the sheer volume of the crowd’s cheer and roar when Dhoni walked out to bat, left her utterly spellbound.

The first time I went to Chepauk was in 2015… I love cricket, I knew Indians love cricket. But the sound of Chepauk when Dhoni walks out to bat, I’ve never heard anything like it before. I still remember it.

Ben Cuting’s wife Erin Holland on MS Dhoni (H/T X)

Erin Holland’s reaction is a testament to the popularity that MS Dhoni commands among cricket fans all around India. The 43-year-old has spent most of his IPL career in Chennai, except for 2016-17, when he played for Rising Pune Supergiant. He is also the competition’s all-time sixth-highest run-scorer, having it 55243 runs in 264 matches, and remains on top of the list of players with the most IPL appearances.

Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether the 2025 IPL season is the last one for MS Dhoni as a player. The 43-year-old recently fueled speculations by wearing a t-shirt, that carried a coded message, which read out ‘One last time’.

MS Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja among key CSK players to watch out for this season

One of the IPL’s most successful franchises, the Chennai Super Kings have set their eyes on winning the trophy for the sixth time, ahead of the 2025 season. Under Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni’s mentorship, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK have forged together a great lineup.

MS Dhoni Gaikwad Jadeja CSK
MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja will be among the CSK players to watch out for, this season. (via Indian Express)

MS Dhoni, in spite of his advancing age, will play a crucial role for the team. He is however, expected to bat quite lower down the order. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been CSK top run-getter over the last five years, will be the player to watch out for. He will be joined by veteran Indian all-round duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin, with the latter making his return to the team after eight long years.

Apart from them, explosive middle-order batter Shivam Dube, New Zealand duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, and youngsters Noor Ahmad and Matheesha Pathirana will play key roles. CSK will be hoping to bounce back from their dismal 2024 season, where they narrowly missed out on the play-offs.