New Delhi: After India wins the 2026 T20 World Cup, most people want the players to fly back home on a chartered flight. But all-rounder Shivam Dube’s journey back to Mumbai from Ahmedabad was very different. Since the flight was fully booked, he ended up traveling by train with his wife and friends and bought a third AC ticket like a regular passenger.Dube said he first tried to buy tickets for himself and his family but could not find seats. Driving back was an option, but he figured the train would be faster. “There were no flights so I decided to take an early morning train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. We could have taken the road but the train was faster,” he told The Indian Express.
Having just won the World Cup with India, Dube was worried about being recognized by fans at stations or in trains. His family and friends are also worried. Dube added, “Everyone we spoke to, including family and friends, was worried. They kept asking, ‘What if someone recognizes you at the station or on the train?'”To avoid attracting attention, Dube tried to keep a low profile. Wearing a hat, mask and long-sleeved T-shirt, he chose the 5:10 a.m. train in the hope that the station would be less crowded. He even waited in the car until the last few minutes before boarding the plane. He spent most of the trip in the upper bunk so as not to attract attention. Once, the ticket inspector almost exposed his identity when checking tickets. “Shivam Dube? Wow, cricketer?” he asked. Dubey’s wife quickly replied: “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (Where is he from)?”, and the inspector moved on.Despite the risk of being recognized, the trip went smoothly. Dubey eventually reached Mumbai safely and police helped him leave the station. His unusual trip shows that even World Cup winners sometimes have to travel like any other passenger.
