Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers Call Unknown Man After Rajat Patidar's Old Number Mix-up

Indian cricketer and RCB skipper Rajat Patidar was recently stuck in a very strange mix-up. It involved his old mobile number, two young men from Chhattisgarh, and the police. What started as a normal telecom matter soon turned into a story full of twists and turns.

After winning the IPL 2025 title for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Patidar hasn't played a professional game so far. However, the talented right-hander is in the scheme of things for the senior India squad and could be a part of the team's white-ball squads in the upcoming months.

What is the Rajat Patidar Old SIM Matter?

Reportedly, a few months ago, Rajat Patidar’s old mobile number was deactivated because it was not used for over 90 days. This is a common rule by telecom companies. The number was later given to a new customer. That customer was a 21-year-old man named Manish Bisi from Madagaon village in Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh.

In late June, Manish bought a new SIM card from a mobile shop in Devbhog. He activated it with a Reliance Jio connection. When Manish set up WhatsApp with help from his friend Khemraj, something strange happened. The WhatsApp profile picture showed Rajat Patidar’s photo. At first, they thought it was a glitch. But within days, Manish started getting calls from several famous cricketers like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Along with Kohli and De Villiers, RCB pacer Yash Dayal and others also tried to reach Patidar through the old number. They all called him, picked the phone addressing the person on the other end of the call as ‘Rajat’, their teammate and dear friend. At first, Manish thought it was a prank and someone was playing a joke on them. For nearly two weeks, they spoke with these callers without telling them who they really were.

Rajat Patidar Contacts Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell

A few days later, Rajat Patidar realized that he could not use his old number. This number was important for him to stay in touch with coaches, teammates, and personal contacts. As a result, he contacted the Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell to report the issue. The Cyber Cell then got in touch with the Gariaband police in Chhattisgarh.

Patidar himself also tried calling the number to explain the situation. When he told Manish he was Rajat Patidar, they did not believe him. Khemraj even replied jokingly, “And we’re MS Dhoni.” Patidar then warned them, “Okay, I’ll send the cops.” They still thought it was a joke. But within ten minutes, the police arrived in Manish’s village.

Gariaband SP Nikhil Rakhecha later explained that the number was re-allotted as per telecom rules after being inactive for months. They soon understood the matter and agreed to return the SIM card. The SIM was sent back to Patidar. Hence, Rajat Patidar old phone number is back with him.

For Manish and Khemraj, the incident was unforgettable. As many other Indians, Manish is also a big fan of Virat Kohli, one of the best batters of the modern era. The 21-year-old also said that he hopes to meet Rajat Patidar one day. Khemraj called it a dream come true. “I got to speak to Kohli because of a wrong number. My life’s goal is complete,” he told a TV channel.

Rajat Patidar has not spoken publicly about the matter. However, 2025 has been a big year for him. In June, he led RCB to their first-ever IPL title in his debut season as captain. He will be aiming to do well in the domestic season, where he will represent his state team Madhya Pradesh.