Shivam Dube (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: After India won the 2026 T20 World Cup, most people would expect players to travel home on chartered flights. But all-rounder Shivam Dube had a very different journey back to Mumbai from Ahmedabad. With flights fully booked, he ended up travelling by train with his wife and a friend, taking a 3rd AC ticket like a regular passenger.Dube said he first tried to get flight tickets for himself and his family but couldn’t find any seats. Driving back was an option, but he felt the train would be quicker. “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,” he told The Indian Express.

Because he had just won the World Cup with India, Dube worried about being recognised by fans at the station or inside the train. His family and friends were also concerned. Dube added, “Everyone we spoke to-family and friends-was worried. They kept asking, ‘What if someone recognises you at the station or on the train?’”To avoid attention, Dube tried to keep a low profile. He wore a cap, a mask and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and chose a 5:10 am train, hoping the station would be less crowded. He even waited inside the car until the last few minutes before boarding. During the trip, he stayed mostly on the top berth to remain unnoticed. At one point, the ticket checker nearly revealed his identity while checking tickets. “Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?” he asked. Dube’s wife quickly replied, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (where will he come from)?”, and the checker moved on.Despite the risk of being recognised, the journey went smoothly. Dube eventually reached Mumbai safely, with police helping manage his exit from the station. His unusual trip showed that even a World Cup winner sometimes has to travel like any other passenger.

India’s Captain Suryakumar Yadav and team members with the winning Trophy after India beat New Zealand by 96 runs during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final cricket match on Sunday (March 8, 2026).
| Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

Shadab Khan and Shahid Afridi (Agency Image)

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, has taken a swipe at Shadab Khan following the all-rounder’s post-match comments, reminding him of the challenges of handling success. Afridi said that while former Pakistan players had struggled to defeat India in World Cups, Shadab’s team managed it in 2021.After Pakistan’s 102-run win over Namibia in Colombo in their Group A match of the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 27-year-old Shadab was asked about criticism from former stars like Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf. He reminded the media that he had been part of the side that beat India in the 2021 World Cup in Dubai.

Following Pakistan’s defeat to India earlier in the tournament on February 15, Afridi and Yousuf had suggested dropping Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab in favour of giving youngsters a chance. But under Salman Ali Agha’s leadership, Pakistan bounced back emphatically against Namibia, securing a Super 8s berth.In the Namibia game, Shadab shone with an unbeaten 35 and picked up three wickets, producing a near-perfect all-round performance. Yet his comments at the post-match press conference have sparked criticism among former players.Afridi responded, saying: “Shadab was absolutely right when he said that we didn’t beat India in the World Cups, but his side did. They got respect after that, but they couldn’t handle it. By the respect thing, I mean that after they defeated India, they could not handle the issues between them. Shadab should also know that when he was not able to perform for the team, we guys stood up for him on national television, saying he is the backbone of the team.”“I know Shadab, he is a very good guy, he has always spoken to us respectfully. When people talked about us during our playing days, we always backed up our words with our actions on the field. Not against the smaller teams, we used to perform against the bigger teams,” Afridi added.The former captain urged Shadab to let his performance answer the critics during the upcoming Super 8s matches against New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka. “So Shadab beta, aap bhi performance kariye. Beta performances karo. We stood by you in your difficult times; you didn’t play domestic cricket, yet you still got into the national team. If you want to answer us, then do it by performing on the field. Perform and let the World Cup get over, we will get quiet after that,” Afridi said.Pakistan will kick off their Super 8s campaign on Saturday against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

MUMBAI: Amid political tensions between India and Pakistan, USA fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar said such issues have never been a topic of discussion within the US team, even though many players have roots in the two countries.The India-Pakistan league-stage match of the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled in Colombo on February 15, is in doubt after Pakistan refused to take part. However, speaking on Friday, a day before USA’s tournament opener against India at the Wankhede Stadium, Netravalkar said the squad remains focused only on representing the United States.

“Yes we have players from all parts of the world. We gel and bond together because of our love for the game. And no I don’t think we have ever discussed the India-Pakistan issues amongst ourselves. I don’t think so at least. We are all proud to play for USA and that’s what we focus on,” Netravalkar said.“We are a group of people from multiple countries across the group and what brings us together is the love of the game. We are proud to represent the USA,” he added.For Netravalkar, the match against India will also be a personal milestone. The left-arm seamer grew up in Mumbai and learned his cricket at the Wankhede. He said playing at the venue would fulfil a long-held ambition.“It feels like a full circle moment for me because I learnt my cricket here. I grew up in Mumbai, and getting an opportunity to play at Wankhede, which has been my dream since childhood as well. So nostalgic, emotional, (and) good to see (it happening). I’m looking forward to my family, friends to be there, and I’ll give my best,” said the 34-year-old.Netravalkar said the presence of former Mumbai players in the US squad, including Harmeet Singh and Shubham Ranjane, provides some understanding of Indian conditions, though he acknowledged that the game has changed significantly.“It definitely helps, but frankly speaking, it’s been a long time. Like, I last played in India in 2014, 2015, things have changed drastically. The game itself has changed drastically. It’s become so much more aggressive from the better’s perspective, so I wouldn’t compare it. Yes, the experience helps, but the game is very different,” he said.Netravalkar was part of the US team that beat Pakistan in Dallas a couple of years ago, when he took 2 for 18 in four overs in a seven-wicket win. On Indian pitches, he said the approach would be different, with the focus on damage control.“The focus will more be on minimising the damage, like you’re saying (there are) high scoring pitches here. Every ball that we bowl, (it should be) to the field, as long as we bowl to the field, we bowl to our matchups and maximise our chances. Defence might be the best attack on this kind of pitches and hopefully we induce a mistake on a false shot, that’s the best we can do as bowlers on these wickets,” he said.