Unusual Incident in Chhattisgarh: Farmer's Son Receives Calls from Cricket Stars

In a remarkable incident in Chhattisgarh, a farmer's son received the old mobile number of cricketer Rajat Patidar, leading to unexpected calls from cricket stars like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Initially believing it to be a prank, the young man soon found himself in a unique situation that involved police intervention. This story highlights the unexpected twists of fate and the joy of connecting with sports idols, leaving the villagers in awe. Discover how this unusual event unfolded and the reactions of those involved.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 21, 2026, 18:28 IST

A Surprising Twist in Garryaband

In Garryaband, Chhattisgarh, an extraordinary event has unfolded. A simple farmer's son from the village of Madgaon in the Devbhog police jurisdiction accidentally received the old mobile number of Indian cricketer Rajat Patidar. What followed was nothing short of a cinematic tale, as the young man began receiving calls from renowned players like Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, and South African legend AB de Villiers.

How the Cricket Number Came to Be

Manish BC, a 21-year-old son of local farmer Gajendra BC, purchased a SIM card from a mobile center in Devbhog on June 28. The mobile operator, Shishupal, assigned him a number as per the standard procedure. A few days later, when Manish installed WhatsApp, he noticed a profile picture of cricketer Rajat Patidar. Initially, he thought it was just a default image.

Calls from Star Players Begin

Two days later, unknown callers started reaching out to him, claiming to be Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, and AB de Villiers. Being a cricket enthusiast, Manish suspected that his friends from the village were playing a prank on him. Whenever the calls came in, he enjoyed the banter, but the callers consistently referred to him as Rajat Patidar.

Rajat Patidar's Call for the SIM

This unusual situation continued for about 15 days until one day, Rajat Patidar himself called Manish, asking him to return the SIM. Initially, the young man thought it was another joke, but when Patidar mentioned that he had filed a complaint at the police station, the gravity of the situation dawned on him. Soon after, police arrived in the village to address the matter, and Manish returned the SIM.

Police Explain the Situation

Faizul Shah Hoda, the Devbhog police chief, explained that Rajat Patidar's number had been inactive for 90 days. According to telecom regulations, a number can be reassigned after being inactive for an extended period. The Madhya Pradesh Cyber Cell contacted Manish's father to request the return of the SIM, to which he agreed.

A Lucky Experience for the Youth

22-year-old Khemraj, who runs a grocery store, and mentally challenged Manish expressed that this incident would remain etched in their memories forever. They described it as a lottery win, having had the chance to speak with their cricket idols. Both young men stated that they could have kept the SIM but chose to return it at the request of the players and police.

Hope for Future Contact

The two youths expressed hope that Rajat Patidar would eventually reach out to them personally for their assistance. This incident has become a hot topic of discussion throughout the village, and the police have not taken any action against the young man.