Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers’ shock chat with Chhattisgarh youth leaked amid Rajat Patidar SIM card drama

In a small corner of Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, a couple of cricket fans got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk to their heroes Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, thanks to Rajat Patidar, and for which they called themselves lucky, as others die to get just glimpses of them.

On June 28, Madagaon resident Manish Bisi, son of farmer Gajendra Bisi, purchased a new Jio SIM card from a mobile shop in Deobhog. After setting up WhatsApp, he noticed that the display picture wasn’t his own but that of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar.

Chhattisgarh villagers accidentally talk with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers

Initially, Manish and his friend Khemraj assumed it was a technical glitch or even a prank. The situation took a surreal turn when they began receiving calls from Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Yash Dayal. Even Kohli and Dayal asked them why they are using Patidar’s number.

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Additionally, they also spoke to AB de Villiers, who was speaking in English. However, Manish and his friends didn’t understand a single word, but the moment was unforgettable for them. Whenever the calls came, Manish would often pass the phone to Khemraj, who is a die-hard fan of Virat Kohli.

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Khemraj shares the experience of speaking with Virat Kohli

Khemraj was quoted as saying by PTI: “I never imagined I would speak to Virat Kohli one day, and that too from our village. When AB de Villiers called, he spoke in English. We couldn't understand a word, but we were so thrilled.

When Manish used to get calls, he would hand over the phone to me. The callers who identified themselves as Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal asked us why we were using Patidar's number. We explained to them we had bought a new SIM, and this is our number.”

On July 15, Rajat Patidar himself called Manish and asked him to return the SIM card. At first, the friends thought it was a joke until the RCB skipper warned that he would involve the police in the matter.

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Rajat Patidar warns of police action

Soon after, Gariaband Deputy Superintendent of Police Neha Sinha clarified that the SIM had been deactivated after 90 days as per telecom rules and reassigned to Manish.

Neha Sinha was quoted as saying by PTI: “Manish was actually getting calls from cricketers who were in contact with Rajat Patidar. Patidar informed the Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell that his number had been allotted to someone else and requested to have it back.”

Later, Rajat Patidar contacted the Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell, explaining that his old number was being used by someone, and requested them to return that SIM to him. It was not totally Manish and Khemraj’s mistake, but the incident gave an experience most fans only dream of.

Manish's brother Deshbandhu Bisi said, “Even if it was all due to a mix-up, these conversations happened out of sheer luck. People just dream of seeing them; we got to speak to them.”