Former India Pacer David Johnson falls from 4th floor apartment and dies

Former India pacer David Johnson died after falling from the balcony of his fourth-floor apartment here and an investigation is being conducted to find out whether it was a case of suicide, a police officer said on Thursday. He was 52 years old and leaves behind a wife and two children. According to currently available details, Johnson, who ran a cricket academy near his home, had not been doing well in recent times. “We were informed that he had fallen from the fourth floor of his building. He was taken to a hospital but doctors declared him dead,” a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) official told PTI.

A police officer said the death is being investigated.

“52-year-old David Jude Johnson is believed to have fallen from his apartment in Kanaka Sri Layout in Kothanur, giving rise to suspected suicide,” a police officer said.

At his peak, Johnson, who played two Tests and 39 first-class matches, was a member of a formidable Karnataka bowling unit that also featured Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and Dodda Ganesh.

“It is shocking news as we have played together since our tennis cricket days at a club called Jai Karnataka,” Ganesh, also a former Indian pacer and a long-time friend of Johnson, told PTI.

Ganesh fondly recalled the time they spent together in the field.

“Later, we played together for the state and the country. That Karnataka bowling attack was the Indian bowling attack for a long time.

“In fact, six members from the state, including Rahul Dravid, were in the Indian team at the same time. I doubt any other state has achieved this feat,” Ganesh said.

Legendary spinner Anil Kumble mourned the death of his former teammate.

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of my cricketing colleague David Johnson. Deepest condolences to his family. Gone too soon, ‘Benny’,” Kumble wrote on X.

Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, also extended his condolences to the bereaved family.

“Deepest condolences to the family and friends of our former Indian fast bowler David Johnson. His contributions to the game will always be remembered,” Shah wrote on X.

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