Air India crash: 23-year-old cricketer among victims
"Dirdh was always intellectually curious," he continued. "He would come to me during classes with questions that reflected deep understanding and commitment. He had a rare ability to see the bigger picture and to understand how his learning could lead to real-world impact."Dr Bargiannis added that he had remained in contact with Mr Patel after graduation. "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."advertisementA talented all-rounder, Mr Patel played as the overseas player for Leeds Modernians Cricket Club during the 2024 season. The club said they were "incredibly saddened" by the news of his death."The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Dirdh's family and everyone who knew him," they said in a statement.A spokesperson for the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League said Mr Patel had planned to continue playing cricket "once settled into his new job". His brother Krutik previously played for Pool Cricket Club, and both clubs held a minute's silence before their weekend fixtures as a mark of respect.League sources added that Mr Patel had hoped to balance his professional ambitions in technology with his passion for cricket. "He embodied the ideal of a student-athlete," a spokesperson said. "A young man equally committed to his studies and to sport, with an unshakeable work ethic and a bright future ahead."
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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Menezes, Ghosh recall the Mumbai boy who will coach India
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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
From Mumbai suburbs to Indian football's highest seat: Story of Khalid Jamil
Khalid Jamil Long before Khalid Jamil became Indian football's headline appointment—long before his name was etched in I-League history as the architect of Aizawl FC's fairytale title run, and long before he coached in the ISL— he was just a young midfielder at Air India , lingering behind after training. He'd buy tea and samosas for his coach, Bimal Ghosh, pull out a chair, and request that he stay back a little longer. Just one more hour, he'd ask. Just one more drill. And then he'd train like a madman. 'He used to come early and would be the last to leave,' Ghosh recalls. 'I'd be sipping chai and watching him run, trying shooting drills. I've never seen anyone train like that.' That madness—disciplined, unrelenting, and almost monk-like in its obsession— has now taken Khalid Jamil to Indian football's highest seat: Head coach of the national team. And few appointments have felt as honest, and as earned, as this one. No cutting corners A commanding central midfielder, he plied his trade with Air India and Mahindra United, known for his nononsense style, leadership, and consistency. Former teammate Godfrey Pereira, who shared the Air India dressing room with him and later did AFC ALicense coaching alongside him, remembers him as the most disciplined man on the field. 'He used to travel all the way from Mira Road to Kalina— never late, never missing training,' Godfrey says. 'And as a coach, he's carried that same spirit. ' What sets Khalid apart is that he never took shortcuts. He built Mumbai FC from the ground up, and shocked the country in 2017 by leading Aizawl FC—a club with one of the league'ssmallest budgets—to an ILeague title. Understanding the player Perhaps Jamil's biggest strength is his ability to understand players—not just their strengths and weaknesses, but their psychology. Steven Dias, who played with him at Air India and Mahindra and now serves as his assistant coach at Jamshedpur FC, describes him as a coach who never overburdens players. 'He understands every player's capacity,' Dias says. 'For instance, when I played under him at Mumbai FC, he gave me complete freedom in attack. He didn't ask me to defend. That's his genius.' The quiet coach Jamil doesn't come from a PR-polished world. He isn't active on social media. He speaks little—and when he does, it's straight to the point. 'He doesn't say thank you or sorry,' Godfrey chuckles. 'He expects results.' And perhaps that's why he stands out. His appointment to the top post is also a huge boost for homegrown coaches. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Parthiv Patel brings IPL experience to Outer Delhi Warriors as mentor for DPL season 2
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