Latest news with #MadhyaPradesh-born
India Today
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Fan bags Rajat Patidar's SIM card, chats with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers: Report
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 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 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 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 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
Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Chandigarh to Lord's: Abhay spins his way into the big league
Written by Gracy Singh Abhay Tipnis, who spent his school years at Lawrence School, Sanawar, and Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, and honed his game at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali, is quietly weaving his cricketing journey across domestic and international grounds — one net session at a time. The Madhya Pradesh-born left-arm spinner, deeply connected to Chandigarh and Punjab through his training and early cricket, recently found himself bowling to legends at one of the sport's most iconic venues: Lord's. 'I've been actively involved in the training sessions for both India and England during the ongoing Test match at Lord's,' Tipnis told The Indian Express. 'I've bowled to some of the best — Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant — and even to top England batters. They asked me to bowl like Jadeja,' he adds with a grin, recalling the thrill of imitating his idol Ravindra Jadeja for England's batsmen. Cricket came early to Abhay. 'I used to watch my father, Rajiv Tipnis, practise regularly. That's what hooked me to the game early on,' he says. His maternal grandfather, Dr Harish Singh Dhillon, former headmaster of both YPS Mohali and Patiala as well as Lawrence School, Sanawar, was another major influence. 'He had a very positive impact on me. He was always supportive of both my sports and academic interests, and more importantly, he inspired thousands of children as an educator. He also instilled a strong value system in me, which continues to guide me on and off the field.' His formative years in schools known for their strong sporting culture and his stints with the Punjab U-14 and U-16 teams, playing alongside future stars like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, cemented his bond with the region. 'I've spent most of my vacations in Chandigarh, especially training at the PCA stadium in Mohali,' he recalls. 'That place shaped me. It feels like home.' Tipnis is upbeat about cricket infrastructure in the Tricity. 'It's great that Chandigarh has its own cricket association, the UTCA. It really helps young aspirants shape their journey in the sport. There's a lot of untapped potential here that deserves more attention and exploration,' he says, underscoring the importance of grassroots systems in building the next generation of cricketers. Tipnis's professional debut came in the prestigious C K Nayudu Trophy in 2019, where he represented Madhya Pradesh against Karnataka, announcing his arrival with a five-wicket haul. Since then, he has been part of net bowling camps for several IPL teams and now serves as an overseas professional for Manchester Cricket Club. Looking ahead, his ambitions remain clear yet grounded. 'I see myself playing Test cricket for India as a left-arm spinner and a reliable all-rounder,' he says. Among those who've shaped his game, he counts Jadeja, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, and Virat Kohli. 'They've all influenced my game in different ways. Gautam Gambhir, in particular, has been very supportive,' he adds, reflecting on the value of mentorship for young cricketers. From the school fields of Punjab to the hallowed turf of Lord's, Tipnis's journey is a quiet testament to perseverance, early passion, and the ecosystems — family, school, and cricketing institutions — that make sporting dreams real.
