NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Shivam Dube went viral on social media after sharing an emotional moment with his father following India’s victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dube shared pictures and a video of himself placing his winner’s medal around his father’s neck. His father, wearing an India jersey, appeared visibly proud as he held the medal. Dube captioned the post, “The real hero of my life,” which quickly resonated with fans online.
Dube played an important role in India’s title-winning campaign, especially in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team, where he smashed 26 runs off just eight balls. Throughout the tournament, he contributed with both bat and ball as India secured their third T20 World Cup title.After the celebrations, Dube had an unusual journey home. Unlike most international cricketers who travel by chartered or business-class flights, he had to take a 3rd AC train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai because all flights were fully booked. Speaking about the experience, he explained that he had tried to arrange flights for himself and his family but couldn’t find any seats.“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 told The Indian Express.To avoid attention at the station, he disguised himself with a cap, mask and full-sleeved T-shirt. He also planned his timing carefully to avoid crowds. “I told my wife I would wait in the car until five minutes before the train’s departure, then rush to board,” Dube added.Soon after reaching Mumbai, he celebrated the historic win with his family, sharing the special moment with the man he calls his biggest inspiration.
