Dirdh Patel, a 23-year-old cricketer, was among the 241 passengers and crew members who died when a London-bound Air India 171 - belonging to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fleet - crash-landed over a medical college hostel minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 14.

Dirdh, who completed his MSc in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Huddersfield, used to play for Leeds Modernians Cricket Club in the Airedale & Wharfedale Senior Cricket League.

“The League is extremely sad to learn of the death of Dirdh Patel of Leeds Modernians CC in yesterday's Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. He is the brother of Krutik Patel, formerly of Pool CC,” the league said in a press statement.

An all-rounder, Dirdh scored 312 runs and took 29 wickets for the club’s first XI in 20 matches. “It was his intention to register as an Overseas Born English Resident player once settled into his new job. Leeds Modernians have confirmed that they will be holding a minute’s silence before their 1st and 2nd team matches this weekend. The League is thinking of Krutik and the Patel family at this very sad and difficult time,” the statement added.

Dr. George Bargiannis, a reader in Artificial Intelligence at the university’s School of Computing and Engineering, paid a rich tribute to Dirdh.

“Dirdh was an exceptional individual, always intellectually curious, coming to me during classes with questions that showed deep understanding and commitment,” he told the BBC. “He had a clear ability of seeing the bigger picture and how his learning could lead to making a positive impact in the world.”

Dr. Bargiannis also said he was in touch with Dirdh after he graduated and added: “His loss is a devastating reminder of how fragile life can be. My thoughts are with his family, friends, fellow students, and all who were fortunate enough to know him. May his memory continue to inspire those of us who had the privilege of sharing a part of his life.”

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