Air India tragedy claims young cricketer's life
Dirdh Patel, a talented young cricketer, was among those who lost their lives in the Air India flight AI171 crash.
The London-bound plane took off from Ahmedabad with 242 people on board but crashed soon after departure, leaving just one survivor.
His passing has deeply impacted the cricket community and everyone who knew him.
A curious and brilliant mind
At just 23, Dirdh had already made his mark both on and off the field. He completed his Master's in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Huddersfield with top honors and played for Leeds Modernians Cricket Club.
He was known for his curiosity and love for learning—his lecturer Dr. George Bargiannis described him as warm, friendly, and academically brilliant.
Clubs across the world honored him with a minute's silence
Clubs where Dirdh played held a minute's silence to honor him.
Friends, teammates, and mentors are remembering not just his skills but also his kindness and passion for cricket.