India created history as theylifted their record third titleafter winning the T20 World Cup 2026. While the spotlight shone on the likes of Sanju Samson, who won the Player of the Tournament, and Jasprit Bumrah, who finished as the tournament's highest wicket-taker, the most underrated but significant contribution came from Shivam Dube. Batting lower down the order, Dube played some short but impactful knocks. He smashed 235 runs from 8 games in the tournament. Like the silent contributor that he is, his return journey to his hometown of Mumbai from Ahmedabad after winning the tournament was equally quiet.
While most of the team returned back to their hometowns on flights guided by security personnel, Shivam Dube quietly returned back to Mumbai on Ahmedabad on the Sayaji Express, that too on a 3AC coach.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Shivam Dube said that he, his wife and a friend decided to take a train to Ahmedabad early in the morning, because there was no flight available. They could have gone by road, but the train was faster. However, his family and friends were worried about whether he would be recognized inside the train.
“There was no flight available, so I decided to take a train from Ahmedabad early in the morning to Mumbai. We could have gone by road, but the train was faster," Dube told The Indian Express.
“Me, my wife and a friend decided to take a train. 3rd AC tickets were available, so we decided to book them. Everyone we spoke to was worried. What if someone recognised me at the station or inside the train?" the all-rounder added.
Shivam Dube wore a mask, cap and a full-sleeve T-shirt. He hoped that there would be fewer people on the platform in the wee hours of the morning at 5.10 AM. But when he saw that there were indeed a lot of plans, he waited in the car till five minutes before the train's departure. After boarding the train, he immediately got up on the upper berth.
“I wore a cap, a mask and a full-sleeved T-shirt. It was a 5.10 am train, so we hoped there would not be many people on the platform. I told my wife that I will wait in the car till five minutes before the train’s departure. After that, I will rush to board the train," Dube said.
However, the TTE, while checking his name, started recognizing the cricket, but his wife's quick witty replies calmed the situation down.
“Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?" TTE asked, and his wife replied, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (where will he come from)?"
Shivam Dube had informed the police before reaching the Borivali station, and they were surprised on hearing that he was not coming by flight. However, he said that the journey was smooth, and no one even recognized him as he walked in the train coach till he got down. He was provided a police escort and the exit too happened smoothly.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
