Ravichandran Ashwin has played down the hype over Shivam Dube's train ride following India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph last week.

Dube was one of the top performers for India as they successfully defended their T20 World Cup title on home soil. The all-rounder featured in all nine matches for India, scoring 235 runs in addition to taking five wickets.

In the final against New Zealand at Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 8), the southpaw produced a cameo of 26 runs in just 8 balls, propelling the hosts to a mammoth 255/5 in 20 overs, which proved to be too much for the Kiwis.

Hours after India’s title-clinching 96-run victory, Dube, along with his wife Anjum Khan and a friend, travelled to Mumbai from Ahmedabad via a train. The cricketer was eager to see his father and children, and his choice to travel by a 3rd AC train over a flight ensured he could reach them urgently.

However, Ashwin is of the opinion that such news shouldn’t grab headlines. “I'm seeing news pieces on how Shivam Dube traveled by train. I don't want to read pieces like that. What's the big deal? I have traveled by train,” the former India spinner said while speaking at a RevSportz event.

Ashwin criticized the intense superhero culture in Indian cricket, stressing that players need to enjoy everyday experiences without sensationalism.

“I would love for us... for international cricketers to be able to go to the chaiwalas and have chai with the people. In fact, we have forgotten that life's joys are in very small moments,” he added.

Coming to Shivam Dube’s journey, he knew that his presence on the train could create chaos. Hence, he chose a 5.10 am train and wore a cap, a mask and a full-sleeved T-shirt to stay under the radar.

After boarding the train, the lanky all-rounder quickly moved to the top berth, and when the ticket checker came, his wife handled the situation smartly.

“Shivam Dube? Woh kaun hai, cricketer?" TTE asked, and Anjum replied, “No, no. Woh kahan se aayega (where will he come from)?"