Former India pacer David Johnson passes away at 52

David Johnson. (Source – Twitter/X)

David Johnson, who played two Tests for India in 1996 and bagged three wickets, breathed his last in Bengaluru on Thursday, June 20. He was 52 years old at the time of his untimely demise.

Johnson was running a cricket academy and had been struggling with his health in recent times. He died after falling from the balcony of his fourth-floor apartment, a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) official was quoted as saying by The Times of India. Johnson left behind his wife and two children.

“We were informed that he had fallen from the fourth floor of his apartment building. He was taken to a hospital but the doctors declared him brought dead,” the KSCA official said.

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Dodda Ganesh, also a former India pacer and a long-time friend of Johnson, expressed his grief at the shocking turn of events.

“It is a shocking news as we had played together from our tennis cricket days for a club called Jai Karnataka. Later we played together for state and the country. That Karnataka bowling attack was the Indian bowling attack for a long time,” Ganesh said.

Meanwhile, the legendary Anil Kumble also extended condolences to the bereaved family through a post on his official ‘X’ handle.

Saddened to hear the passing of my cricketing colleague David Johnson. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Gone too soon ‘Benny’!” Anil Kumble posted.

David Johnson’s numbers in domestic cricket

The Arasikere-born played 39 first-class matches, where he picked up 125 wickets at an average of 28.63 and a strike rate of 47.40. Meanwhile, in his List A career, Johnson accounted for 41 wickets from 33 matches at an average of 31.46 and a strike rate of 40.40.

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Johnson was also a handy lower-order batter and had a highest first-class score of 101 not out. He was part of a strong Karnataka bowling that, comprising stalwarts like Venkatesh Prasad, Javagal Srinath, Kumble, and Ganesh.