India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2026 marketing campaign created numerous memorable moments, however one of the crucial sudden tales after the ultimate concerned all-rounder Shivam Dube. Contemporary from serving to India raise the trophy, the cricketer selected a surprisingly easy solution to return dwelling—by touring in a third AC coach on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Sayaji Specific alongside together with his spouse Anjum Khan.
At a time when all the nation was celebrating India’s victory, Dube’s quiet and low-key journey dwelling captured the creativeness of followers. It confirmed a unique facet of the star all-rounder -one pushed not by glamour or comfort, however by a easy want to return to his household as shortly as doable.
Why Shivam Dube selected a practice journey after India’s T20 World Cup triumph?
The explanation behind Dube’s uncommon journey alternative was largely sensible. Following India’s emphatic win in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, town witnessed a surge in journey demand. 1000’s of followers, officers, and gamers have been making an attempt to go away town on the identical time, making flights extraordinarily troublesome to safe.
All flights from Ahmedabad to Mumbai have been fully booked, leaving Dube with restricted choices. Whereas touring by street was doable, it could have taken considerably longer. To achieve dwelling sooner, the all-rounder determined to board the early morning 5:10 am Ahmedabad-Mumbai Sayaji Specific as a substitute.
Nonetheless, the urgency behind the choice went past comfort. Dube was desperate to return dwelling to his younger youngsters – his four-year-old son Ayaan and two-year-old daughter Mehwish. After spending weeks away in the course of the event, he merely needed to reunite together with his household as quickly as doable.
For Dube, the practice supplied the quickest answer, even when it meant touring in an everyday coach relatively than the posh preparations worldwide cricketers are sometimes accustomed to.
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Touring incognito and the shut name
Whereas the plan to take the practice solved the journey downside, it created one other problem – avoiding recognition. With India’s T20 World Cup triumph dominating headlines, the very last thing Dube needed was to be surrounded by crowds of followers inside a practice.
To remain unnoticed, he and his spouse got here up with a easy disguise. Dube wore a cap, a face masks, and a full-sleeved T-shirt to hide his id. On the railway station, he remained contained in the automotive till simply 5 minutes earlier than departure to keep away from attracting consideration earlier than shortly boarding the coach.
As soon as contained in the practice, he took extra precautions. Dube climbed onto the highest berth and lined himself with a thick brown railway blanket, hoping to stay unnoticed for all the journey.
The plan nearly fell aside when the ticket collector arrived to confirm passengers. Upon seeing the identify Shivam Dube on the reservation chart, the TC turned curious and requested, “Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?”
In a second of fast pondering, Dube’s spouse Anjum calmly responded, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega?” [How will he come here?]
Her assured reply satisfied the ticket collector, who moved on with out asking additional questions. The couple breathed a sigh of reduction as probably the most nerve-racking second of the journey handed with out incident.
The remainder of the eight-hour journey remained largely uneventful. Dube managed to stay unnoticed by different passengers, even stepping down briefly from the berth in the course of the night time to make use of the washroom.
Nonetheless, he knew the ultimate problem awaited at Borivali station in Mumbai. Arriving in broad daylight might simply expose his id to commuters or cricket followers.
To keep away from any problems, Dube contacted native authorities earlier than the practice reached the station. The police, initially stunned to be taught {that a} World Cup hero was touring by practice, organized a police escort to assist him exit the station safely.
With their help, Dube quietly left the station and headed dwelling to reunite together with his youngsters.
Whereas his performances within the event – scoring 235 runs at a strike fee of 169 – made headlines, it was this easy and humble journey that received hearts throughout the nation. In an period of luxurious journey and superstar consideration, Dube’s quiet practice experience dwelling turned a touching reminder of how even cricketing heroes generally simply need to get again to their households like everybody else.
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