Explained: Why Indian team is wearing black armbands in Super 8 clash against Afghanistan?

During their Super Eight match against Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday, the Indian team will adorn black armbands as a mark of respect for former India pacer, David Johnson, who tragically passed away earlier in the day in Bengaluru at the age of 52.

Also Read: Former India pacer David Johnson passes away at 52

Johnson, who operated a cricket academy, had been grappling with health challenges in recent months. According to a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) official quoted by The Times of India, he tragically passed away following a fall from the balcony of his fourth-floor apartment. Johnson is survived by his wife and two children.

Johnson, a right-arm paceman during his playing days, featured in just a couple of Test matches for India and represented Karnataka in 72 domestic fixtures, showcasing career-best bowling figures of 8/55 and achieving a highest score of 101*. His bowling tally included a total of eight five-fors and a single ten-for, including a total of 166 domestic wickets.

His exploits in domestic cricket were laudable, notably his impressive performance of 10 for 152 against Kerala during the 1995-96 Ranji Trophy season, which served as a catalyst for his elevation to the Indian team. Johnson, known for his pace, recorded a delivery clocked at 157.8 km/h against Australia in 1996 during a one-off Test in Delhi, where he famously dismissed the formidable Michael Slater.

Also Read: Watch: Throwback to when David Johnson clocked 157.8 km/hr delivery against Australia in 1996

The right-arm paceman was also included in the tour of South Africa but featured solely in the inaugural Test, where he claimed the prized scalps of Herschelle Gibbs and Brian McMillan.