Indian Players Wear Black Armbands in IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Clash; This is why

Indian cricketers paid tribute to former fast bowler David Johnson by wearing black armbands during their T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Johnson, who died in Bengaluru aged 52, played two Tests for India in 1996 and took three wickets. His sudden death has shocked the cricket community.

According to a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) official, Johnson succumbed to injuries sustained after falling from the balcony of his fourth-floor apartment. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead. Johnson is survived by his wife and two children. Although he had been overseeing a cricket academy, his health had deteriorated recently.

Also read | David Johnson Passes Away: Former Indian Cricketer Dies By Suicide, Gautam Gambhir Reacts To Speedster’s Tragic Death

“We received reports that he had fallen from the fourth floor of his apartment building. He was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately he was declared brought dead,” the KSCA official told PTI. Johnson played a crucial role in Karnataka’s formidable bowling line-up in the 1990s, alongside cricket stars such as Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and Dodda Ganesh.

In the match against Afghanistan, Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Introducing a tactical change, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav replaced right-arm seamer Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI.

India playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.

Afghanistan plays XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

India advanced to the Super 8 stage with an impeccable record, having triumphed in all three group stage encounters against Ireland, Pakistan and USA in Group A. However, their final group match against Canada was abandoned due to bad weather.