Shivam Dube (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: After India wins the T20 World Cup in 2026, most people expect the players to travel home on chartered flights. But all-rounder Shivam Dube had a very different journey back to Mumbai from Ahmedabad. With flights fully booked, he ended up traveling by train with his wife and a friend, taking a 3rd AC ticket as a regular passenger.Dube said he first tried to get tickets for himself and his family but could not find any seats. It was possible to go back, but he felt that the train would be faster. “There were no flights available, so I decided to take an early morning train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. We could have gone by road, but the train was faster,” he told The Indian Express.
Amritsar erupted as Abhishek Sharma’s family celebrated India’s T20 World Cup triumph
Having just won the World Cup with India, Dube was worried that fans at the station or on the train would recognize him. His family and friends were also concerned. Dube added: “Everyone we spoke to – family and friends – was worried. They kept asking, ‘What if someone recognizes you at the station or on the train?’To avoid attention, Dube tried to keep a low profile. Wearing a cap, mask and long-sleeved T-shirt, he chose the 5:10 train in the hope that the station would be less crowded. He even waited in the car until the last minutes before boarding. During the trip, he stayed mostly in the upper berth to remain unnoticed. At one point, the ticket inspector nearly revealed his identity while checking the tickets. “Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, a cricketer?” he asked. Dube’s wife quickly replied, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (where does he come from)?” and the controller continued.Despite the risk of recognition, the journey went smoothly. Dube eventually arrived safely in Mumbai and was helped by the police to manage his exit from the station. His unusual journey showed that even a World Cup winner sometimes has to travel like any other passenger.
