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Fan bags Rajat Patidar's SIM card, chats with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers: Report

Fan bags Rajat Patidar's SIM card, chats with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers: Report

India Today4 days ago
What began as a routine SIM card purchase turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a cricket fan from Gariaband, Chhattisgarh. In late June, 21-year-old Manish Bisi from Madagaon village bought a new SIM card from a small mobile shop in Devbhog — unaware that it had belonged to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar.According to The Times of India (TOI), Manish was setting up his WhatsApp account with the help of his friend Khemraj when they noticed the profile picture was of Patidar. They brushed it off, not making too much of what they saw. But the mood shifted when calls began coming in from people claiming to be Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Yash Dayal and other RCB stars.advertisementFor more than two weeks, the friends played along, amused by the unexpected attention. Meanwhile, Patidar realised he could no longer access his WhatsApp account and lodged a complaint with the Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell. The investigation quickly led to Manish, revealing that the number had been reassigned under the telecom company's reallocation policy.
Gariaband SP Nikhil Rakhecha explained, 'Numbers inactive for over six months are reassigned to new customers as per company policy. We have now returned the number to Rajat Patidar.'Patidar, a key figure in RCB's recent success, took over as captain and led the team to its first-ever Indian Premier League title. Known for his calm temperament and clutch performances, the Madhya Pradesh-born batter has cemented his place as a fan favourite and a crucial leader for the franchise.AN UNFORGETTABLE STORYFor Manish and Khemraj, both die-hard cricket enthusiasts, the episode was surreal. 'It's a funny story now, but at the time it felt unreal,' they reportedly told friends. They hope to one day meet Patidar in person and share a laugh about the bizarre turn of events.From an ordinary shop transaction to answering calls from cricket royalty, the unusual series of events has left the young men with a story they will retell for years — a true case of dialling into destiny.- EndsTrending Reel
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"Before A Match, I Would Automatically...": Pragyan Ojha Shares Cricketing Superstition
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"Before A Match, I Would Automatically...": Pragyan Ojha Shares Cricketing Superstition

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Labubu vs Lafufu: How to spot the fake dolls? Pop Mart warns collectors

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