Punchline: A recycled Rajat Patidar SIM reassigned turns a small-town youth into the accidental contact for cricketing royalty.
The Unexpected Call List
When RCB skipper Rajat Patidar’s old phone number was reassigned to 21-year-old Manish Bisi from Chhattisgarh, he never imagined it would lead to direct conversations with cricketing legends.
Within days of activating the SIM, Manish and his friend Khemraj began receiving calls from Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Yash Dayal—all thinking they were speaking to Patidar himself.
At first, the two friends dismissed the calls as elaborate pranks. Their suspicion grew when they noticed the number’s WhatsApp profile still displayed Rajat Patidar’s name and photo.
Realising the opportunity, they engaged in light-hearted banter, even jokingly introducing themselves as MS Dhoni to a surprised caller.
How It Happened When Rajat Patidar SIM reassigned
- Number Recycling Policy: Telecom providers in India routinely reassign inactive numbers after 90 days to new users.
- Patidar’s Old SIM: Patidar’s number, inactive for months, fell into this category, leading to the reassignment.
- Unintended Star Network: Friends, teammates, and fellow cricketers of Patidar continued to call, creating a surreal experience for Manish and Khemraj.
The Turning Point
The unusual fun didn’t last forever. Patidar eventually contacted the new holders of his old number, politely but firmly requesting them to return it.
The conversation took a serious turn when he mentioned the possibility of legal action if the matter wasn’t resolved quickly. Within ten minutes, the local police and the MP Cyber Cell intervened, retrieving the SIM and restoring it to Patidar.
Public and Personal Reactions
- Manish and Khemraj’s Perspective: Khemraj later said, “Speaking to Kohli because of a wrong number is a dream come true. My life’s goal is complete.”
- Social Media Frenzy: The story went viral, with fans creating memes and joking that the boys should have convinced Kohli to reverse his ODI retirement.
- Privacy Concerns: Experts noted that this case highlights the potential privacy risks tied to number recycling, urging telecom operators to consider longer deactivation periods.
The Larger Picture
Beyond the humor and excitement, this incident underlines a unique intersection of telecom policy, celebrity life, and everyday chance encounters.
For Manish and Khemraj, it was a rare and unforgettable chapter—a story they’ll likely share for years. For Patidar, it was a reminder of how quickly personal contact information can unintentionally fall into the wrong hands.
Final Takeaway:
What began as a random telecom formality became a once-in-a-lifetime brush with cricket royalty—proof that sometimes, destiny dials your number without warning.
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