World Cup Winner Shivam Dubey Takes 3AC Train From Ahmedabad to Mumbai — in Disguise

Most cricketers return home from a World Cup triumph on chartered flights. Shivam Dubey chose a third-AC berth on the 5:10 AM train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai — and spent the journey hiding under a blanket, hoping no one would recognise him.

The reason was straightforward. After India's historic T20 World Cup 2026 victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, every flight to Mumbai was fully booked. Driving was an option, but Dubey found the train faster and more practical. So the all-rounder who played a key role in India's title defence quietly booked 3AC tickets, boarded with his wife Anjum and a friend, and headed home by rail — just like any other Indian passenger.

The bigger challenge was not the travel itself — it was staying unrecognised. Dubey wore a cap, a mask, and a full-sleeved T-shirt. He waited in his car until five minutes before departure to avoid the platform crowd, then quickly boarded and climbed straight to the upper berth. A police officer accompanied him as a precaution. For most of the journey, the plan worked perfectly. Even a late-night trip to the washroom passed without incident.

The one close call came when the ticket checker arrived, glanced at the name on the booking, and asked: "Shivam Dubey? Who is he, cricketer?" Before Dubey could respond, Anjum stepped in smoothly. "No, no — how could he come here?" she said, waving the thought away with a smile. The TC moved on to the next berth, none the wiser.

Dubey's greatest anxiety was the Borivali station exit — broad daylight, potentially crowded. With police assistance already coordinated at the station, the exit proved surprisingly smooth. The World Cup winner slipped away without so much as a selfie request.