Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: After India won the 2026 T20 World Cup, most people would expect 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 travelling by train with his wife and a friend, taking a 3rd AC ticket like a regular passenger.Dube said he first tried to get flight tickets for himself and his family but couldn’t find any seats. Driving back was an option, but he felt the train would be quicker. “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 quicker,” he told The Indian Express.
Because he had just won the World Cup with India, Dube worried about being recognised by fans at the station or inside the train. His family and friends were also concerned. Dube added, “Everyone we spoke to-family and friends-was worried. They kept asking, ‘What if someone recognises you at the station or on the train?’”To avoid attention, Dube tried to keep a low profile. He wore a cap, a mask and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and chose a 5:10 am train, hoping the station would be less crowded. He even waited inside the car until the last few minutes before boarding. During the trip, he stayed mostly on the top berth to remain unnoticed. At one point, the ticket checker nearly revealed his identity while checking tickets. “Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?” he asked. Dube’s wife quickly replied, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (where will he come from)?”, and the checker moved on.Despite the risk of being recognised, the journey went smoothly. Dube eventually reached Mumbai safely, with police helping manage his exit from the station. His unusual trip showed that even a World Cup winner sometimes has to travel like any other passenger.
