Ex-Indian Fast Bowler David Johnson Passes Away After Tragic Fall from Fourth-Floor Apartment.

Ex-Indian Fast Bowler David Johnson Passes Away After Tragic Fall from Fourth-Floor Apartment. 

Jay Shah, the Secretary of the BCCI, also expressed his condolences to the grieving family.

Former India Pacer David Johnson Dies After Falling From 4th-Floor Apartment

David Johnson, former Indian pacer, tragically passed away on Thursday after falling from the balcony of his fourth-floor apartment in Kanaka Sri Layout, Kothanur. The incident, which occurred under unclear circumstances, is currently under investigation by the police to determine whether it was a case of suicide. Johnson, who was 52 years old, is survived by his wife and two children.

The state police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) at the Kothanur police station. Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, expressed his condolences to Johnson's bereaved family.

Johnson, who played in two Test matches for India, is mourned by the cricket community and his passing marks a somber moment for his fans and loved ones.

The statement added that Johnson's body was taken to Ambedkar Medical College Hospital on Shampura Main Road for a postmortem examination.

Johnson had been hospitalized at St. Philomena's Hospital last week due to severe stomach pain and had been dealing with ongoing health issues for some time.

None of Johnson's family members have expressed any suspicions. The incident appears to be a 'self-fall' with no eyewitnesses, and no suicide note was found," the police said. Despite this, an investigation is underway.

A senior police official mentioned that Johnson had been regularly visiting a de-addiction center in the city.

Earlier, a representative from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) reported that Johnson was brought to a nearby hospital by his family and friends, who indicated he had fallen from the fourth floor of his apartment building. Unfortunately, upon arrival, doctors declared him brought dead.

David Johnson, renowned for his swift pace delivered through a distinctive slingy action, amassed 125 wickets in First-Class cricket and 41 in List A from just 33 matches. His standout performance in the domestic arena came during the Ranji Trophy, where he claimed an impressive 10 wickets for 152 runs against Kerala, catapulting him into national prominence.

During his peak, Johnson was a vital part of Karnataka's formidable bowling lineup, which also included cricket legends such as Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, and Dodda Ganesh. Reflecting on their early days, Dodda Ganesh, a former India pacer and Johnson's long-time friend, reminisced about their shared journey. "It's shocking news. We started together playing tennis cricket for Jai Karnataka," Ganesh told PTI. "We later played for the state and the country. That Karnataka attack was essentially the Indian attack for a while. At one point, six players from Karnataka, including Rahul Dravid, were in the India squad simultaneously. I doubt any other state has matched that."

Anil Kumble, a legendary leg-spinner, expressed his sorrow over Johnson's passing. "Saddened to hear of the passing of my cricketing colleague David Johnson. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Gone too soon 'Benny'," Kumble wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

BCCI secretary Jay Shah also conveyed his condolences. "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 shared on X.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who recently interviewed for the position of head coach of the Indian men's team, expressed his grief as well. "Saddened by the passing away of David Johnson. May God give strength to his family and loved ones," Gambhir wrote on X.

Despite his amiable nature and being a cherished teammate, Johnson's passion for horse racing, both as an owner and enthusiast, often led him into financial difficulties. He was compelled to take on various odd jobs and even relocated to Chennai at one point in search of better opportunities.

In the later years of his life, Johnson became somewhat of a recluse. However, thanks to the efforts of former India player and KSCA secretary Brijesh Patel, he was brought back into the cricketing community. Patel's initiatives included offering Johnson a chance to compete in the 2009 Karnataka Premier League (now the KSCA Maharaja Trophy T20) for the Belagavi Panthers. Patel's support also secured him a role as a BCCI match official for domestic matches, and in 2015, he was given another opportunity to play in the KPL, marking his final year in competitive cricket.

Johnson’s international career was brief, featuring just two Test matches—one against Australia at Feroz Shah Kotla and another against South Africa in Durban—where he took three wickets.

However, those three wickets were not ordinary—they were the prized scalps of renowned batsmen Michael Slater, Herschelle Gibbs, and Brian MacMillan.