In an era where international cricketers are synonymous with chartered flights and luxury travel, Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube has stunned fans by opting for a humbler mode of transport. Following India’s historic 2026 T20 World Cup triumph in Ahmedabad, the 32-year-old found himself stranded by fully booked flights and made the unprecedented decision to travel home to Mumbai via a 3rd AC train.

The logistical challenge arose when Dube discovered that every available seat on flights to Mumbai had been snapped up. "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," Dube was quoted as saying to The Indian Express.

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A high-stakes game of hide-and-seek

The decision caused immediate panic among his inner circle. "Everyone we spoke to—family and friends—was worried. They kept asking, 'What if someone recognises you at the station or on the train?'" Dube recalled. To mitigate the risk, the cricketer adopted a "stealth mode" ensemble, donning a mask, cap, and long-sleeved shirt. He even timed his arrival at the platform for 5:05 am—just five minutes before departure.

Accompanied by his wife, Anjum, and a police escort, Dube spent the journey on a top berth to avoid detection. He told The Indian Express that the plan nearly hit a snag during a routine ticket check. When the Ticket Collector (TC) spotted the name on the chart and asked, “Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?”, Anjum quickly deflected the query, replying: “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (where will he come from)?”

 

The pacer successfully reached Borivali station, where authorities—initially expecting him at the airport—coordinated with his police escort to ensure a smooth exit. Despite the tension, Dube noted the journey was remarkably uneventful, proving that sometimes, even a world champion prefers the rails. (With inputs from Agencies)