former Indian pacer David Johnson passes away !!

 

Not many would remember that One off test at Delhi in Oct 1996 – Sachin Tendulkar was the Captain.  Australia were bowled out in 73 overs on the opening day, eight of their wickets falling to spin.  India opened with Vikram Rathore and make-shift Nayan Mongia who made a memorable 152.  An ebullient man, given to incessant appealing when keeping wicket, at the crease Mongia was calm, disciplined and accomplished. That was his maiden Test century, in his 13th match, playing out for  eight hours and 17 minutes to ensure a handsome lead of 179.  The pitch appeared under-prepared, Kumble took many wickets and India won by 7 wickets !! 

Brad Hogg and little known pacer from Karnataka made their debuts.  The Indian attack was all Karnataka combination of Venkatesh Prasad, debutant David Johonson, Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and TN Ashish Kapoor.  Johnson went on to play just another test. 

Today comes the sad news that former India pacer David Johnson passed away at the age of 52 after falling from a balcony in Bengaluru this morning.  The right-arm fast bowler from Karnataka was born on October 16, 1971, in the Arasikere region. He represented India in international cricket in the mid-1990s. He made his Test debut for India against Australia in October 1996 and featured in a total of two Test matches. The highlight of Johnson's career was clocking at 157.8 kmph during the Test match against Australia.

 

He recorded his best match figures of 10 for 152 against Kerala in the 1995-96 Ranji Trophy season. That performance brought him into national reckoning.  At Kotla, India were without Srinath, having sustained an injury, and Johnson was drafted into the squad. He bowled in tandem with his Karnataka team-mate Venkatesh Prasad and picked up the wicket of Michael Slater in the second innings.   

The incident reportedly  occurred at SLV Paradise in Kanakashri Layout, under the jurisdiction of Kottanur police station. It took place today morning  at 11:15 am. He allegedly jumped while family members were at home. The Kottanur police visited the spot and sent the body to the hospital for post-mortem. According to some press reports, it is suspected to be suicide, allegedly due to depression, could be an accident too. He leaves behind his wife and two children. Johnson,  was running a cricket academy, and  had not been in good health recently.

 
Sad end to a Cricketer
 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
20.6.2024