No Flights After World Cup Win, Shivam Dube And Wife Travel 3rd AC To Mumbai

Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube made an unconventional journey home following India’s historic victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup, opting to travel by train rather than the usual chartered flights.
Dube faced a unique challenge when all flights from Ahmedabad to Mumbai were fully booked in the aftermath of India’s win. In an unexpected move, he chose to travel by train in the third AC class, citing efficiency and availability as key reasons. Speaking exclusively to The Indian Express, Dube shared that despite initial efforts to book flights for himself and his family, no seats were available. Road travel was considered but ultimately dismissed as a longer option.
“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 explained.
Accompanied by his wife, Anjum, and a friend, Dube managed to secure tickets in the third AC compartment. His decision to travel incognito raised concerns among friends and family, who worried about recognition at stations or onboard. To maintain anonymity, Dube wore a cap, mask, and long-sleeved T-shirt, choosing a 5:10 am departure to avoid crowds.
He also traveled with a police officer to handle any potential issues arising from recognition. Dube recounted that the journey was largely smooth, with no incidents of recognition. “During the night, I got down from my berth to use the washroom, and no one recognized me. I was worried about getting off at Borivali in broad daylight, as I knew I couldn’t escape attention there,” he said.
To stay isolated, Dube took the top berth in his coach. However, an unexpected moment occurred when the ticket checker approached him. “Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?” the TC asked. Dube’s wife quickly intervened, saying, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega?” to diffuse the situation.
Authorities, initially expecting him to arrive by air, were surprised by his train journey. With police escort present, Dube’s arrival at the station was managed smoothly, allowing him to leave without incident.