In an extraordinary turn of events in Madagaon village, Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, 21-year-old Manish Bisi found himself at the center of a bizarre telecom mix-up that led to phone calls from cricket icons Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Yash Dayal. The incident, which unfolded on June 28, 2025, began when Manish, son of farmer Gajendra Bisi, purchased a new Jio SIM card from a mobile shop in Deobhog, approximately 8 kilometers from his village. Unbeknownst to him, the SIM had previously belonged to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar, whose number was reassigned after 90 days of inactivity, per standard telecom policy.

When Manish and his friend Khemraj set up WhatsApp using the new SIM, they were surprised to see Patidar’s profile picture appear, initially dismissing it as a technical glitch. Their astonishment grew when their phone began ringing with calls from prominent cricketers addressing Manish as “Rajat.” Believing it to be an elaborate prank, the duo engaged in lighthearted conversations for nearly two weeks. The situation escalated on July 15, when Patidar himself called, urgently requesting the return of his number, which was critical for his communications with teammates and coaches. Skeptical, Manish and Khemraj jokingly responded, “And we’re MS Dhoni,” prompting Patidar to warn of police involvement.

Within minutes, Gariaband police, coordinated by the Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell, arrived at Manish’s home. Deputy Superintendent of Police Neha Sinha clarified that the SIM’s reassignment followed standard telecom procedures, with no legal fault on either side. With the family’s consent, the SIM was returned to Patidar, resolving the issue.

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For Manish and Khemraj, ardent RCB fans, the experience was unforgettable. Khemraj, a devoted Kohli admirer, expressed his thrill, stating, “I never imagined I would speak to Virat Kohli from our village.” Although they couldn’t understand de Villiers’ English, the excitement was palpable. Manish’s brother, Deshbandhu Bisi, noted the village’s joy, emphasizing that speaking with cricket legends was a dream come true for the RCB-loving community.

This remarkable incident, sparked by a routine telecom process, transformed an ordinary SIM purchase into a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with cricketing royalty, leaving Manish and Khemraj with a story to cherish forever.

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