Who is Dirdh Patel? From cricket fields to AI labs, a rising star lost in Ahmedabad plane crash
Dirdh Patel, a rising star in both sports and science, lost his life in the recent Air India crash that killed 274 people. More than just a talented cricketer, the 23-year-old had completed a Master¡¯s degree in Artificial Intelligence and was poised to begin a promising new chapter.
At only 23, Dirdh Patel had already carved out a unique space for himself, not just as a rising cricket talent, but as a sharp academic mind with a Master¡¯s degree in Artificial Intelligence. A student at the University of Huddersfield, Dirdh was known among his professors for his curiosity and commitment to learning.
Not just a cricketer: a brilliant mind in AI
Dr George Bargiannis, who taught him during his studies, remembered Dirdh as someone whose questions during lectures reflected a genuine passion for technology and its potential to create real-world change. Dr Bargiannis noted that Dirdh¡¯s presence in the classroom stood out, describing him as intellectually gifted and deeply engaged with the bigger picture.
A passenger on seat 11A survived the Air India crash.
¡ª Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) June 12, 2025
He's a British national called Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. pic.twitter.com/xctfVBuPA4
A standout on the cricket field
While Dirdh¡¯s academic accomplishments were admirable, his love for cricket remained close to his heart. He played for Leeds Modernians Cricket Club during the 2024 season, scoring 312 runs and taking 29 wickets across 20 matches. Teammates and league members remembered him as a dedicated all-rounder who brought both skill and spirit to the game.
According to the Airedale & Wharfedale Senior Cricket League, Dirdh had plans to continue playing as an Overseas Born English Resident player after settling into his new life and job in the UK. Tragically, those plans will never come to fruition.
The league has announced a minute¡¯s silence before all matches involving Leeds Modernians this weekend, paying tribute to a teammate whose legacy will live on through both numbers on the pitch and memories in the locker room.
Message from Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India. pic.twitter.com/o1wQnReCaG
¡ª Air India (@airindia) June 14, 2025
A life cut short in tragedy
Dirdh Patel was among the 274 victims of the Air India crash involving flight AI 171, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad last Thursday. The aircraft was en route to London when it lost altitude moments after take-off and crashed, killing nearly all on board.
Campbell Wilson, #AirIndia¡¯s MD & CEO, traveled to Ahmedabad to visit the B. J. Medical College crash site and nearby treatment centers for survivors. He expressed profound sorrow and underscored the airline's full cooperation with authorities.
¡ª FlightMode (@FlightModeblog) June 14, 2025
? ??Air India#AI171 #India pic.twitter.com/13MoT1ao9Y
Dirdh had been one of 241 passengers and crew members killed. His death, alongside hundreds of others, has left his family, friends, university peers, and teammates in mourning.
Remembering a life full of promise
Those who knew Dirdh describe him as a beacon of ambition and kindness, a young man who balanced academics and sport with remarkable grace. He had dreams of using artificial intelligence to make the world a better place and of continuing his journey in cricket. Now, the world mourns what could have been.
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