Cricket has a tendency of bringing large crowds and fans together, and making them explode in unison with thunderous screams of joy and rapture.
Watching and hearing massive crowds making their voice heard at stadiums with full ferocity is a sight to behold and difficult to describe to those who aren’t present at the stadium themselves to take in the electric atmosphere and deafening noise.
And, when it comes to the sport of cricket, it is safe to say that no other set of fans express themselves with zeal that’s associated with spectators in the sub-continent, especially those in India.
Lest we forget, cricket is a religion in India, and the passion which the fans in the country display when following their favourite cricketers in action remains unrivalled.
While it is impossible to point out which is the loudest cheer ever produced over the years, data collected in recent years has nonetheless shown a few of the highest dB sounds in cricket history, and unsurprisingly most are from India.
A dB or decibel is the unit utilised to measure the intensity of sound. It basically measures the degree of loudness by comparing the sound on a logarithmic scale.
As per experts, a whisper measures 30 decibels, while regular talk ranges between around 60 decibels. Engines produce a sound of about 95 decibels and it is believed that loud noises of more than 120 decibels can damage ears in a heartbeat.
With that in mind and taking things with a pinch of salt considering that measuring decibel levels at cricket stadiums is still a relatively modern innovation, here are the loudest cheers in terms of highest dB sound in cricket history.
Highest dB sound in cricket history: Know the loudest cheers
Mumbai vs Chennai| Indian T20 League 2024 at Wankhede - 131 dB
After Chennai's star batter Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed against Mumbai during an Indian T20 League 2024 game, the sound levels hit an astonishing 131 decibels at the Wankhede Stadium as it broke the record for the highest dB sound in cricket history. Rahane, who opened the innings for Chennai in place of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, fell to Mumbai pacer Gerald Coetzee in the second over of the game. Despite Rahane's early dismissal, Chennai posted 206/4 in their 20 overs. The visitors later restricted the star-studded Mumbai batting line-up to 186/6 in their allotted overs to win the game by 20 runs.
Chennai vs Bengaluru| Indian T20 League 2024 at Chennai - 130 dB
Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's entry before the toss against Bengaluru during the opening game of the Indian T20 League 2024 was earlier the loudest cheer as it held the previous record for the highest dB sound in cricket history. Accoring to Indian T20 League broadcaster Star Sports, Dhoni's entry was the loudest cheer in Indian T20 League at that time as the noise levels rose up to 130 dB at the iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Under MS Dhoni's leadership, Chennai later beat Bengaluru by six wickets as they got their campaign off to a great start.
Delhi vs Chennai | Indian T20 League 2024 at Visakhapatnam - 128 dB
According to the data available, the joint third-highest dB sound in cricket history was recorded during Match 13 of Indian T20 League 2024 at Visakhapatnam. While Delhi took on Chennai at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, the 28,000 strong spectators at the venue released a collective chorus of noise measured at 128 dB to welcome Indian legend MS Dhoni to the pitch. It was the first time Dhoni walked out to bat in the 2024 edition of the tournament and he received a fitting reception from the Visakhapatnam faithful.
Bengaluru vs Punjab| Indian T20 League 2024 at Chinnaswamy - 128 dB
Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik features on the list for the joint third-highest dB sound in cricket history. Chasing 177 against Punjab, Dinesh Karthik played a match-winning knock to guide Bengaluru to a four-wicket win. With 10 required off the final over, Karthik hammered Punjab pacer Arshdeep for a huge six off the very first ball of the 20th over. Following the six, the huge crowd at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium gave him a thunderous applause as the noise levels rose up to 128 dB. Karthik remained unbeaten on 28 off 10 balls to guide Bengaluru to a brilliant win.
India vs Australia | World Cup 2023 final at Ahmedabad - 127 dB
The fourth-highest DB sound in cricket history that has been measured and recorded took place during the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup between India and Australia. Set a below-par target of 241 to chase for victory, Australia lost David Warner early on to a Mohammad Shami delivery and his dismissal led to a cacophony of noise, measured at 127 dB. It is the highest dB sound recorded in cricket history and is just three dB lesser than the noise a military jet makes at 130 dB.
India vs New Zealand | World Cup 2023 semi-final at Wankhede - 126 dB
The fifth-loudest sound ever recorded at a cricket venue also took place during the 2023 ODI World Cup. It took place during a semi-final clash between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Indian legend Virat Kohli struck a hundred during and in the process completed his 50th ODI century and 80th international ton overall. Kohli’s century led to wild and vociferous celebrations from fans who chanted slogans of the Indian legend’s name with a noise intensity of 126 dB.
Photo credit: Alamy
