The Indian team clashed against Afghanistan in their first T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash. During the game, the Indian players, including the support staff were seen sporting black armbands. The gesture of Men in Blue came in the memory of former Indian Test cricketer David Johnson who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 52.
Johnson fell from the balcony’s apartment in Bengaluru which became the reason for his death. The news sent a shockwave in the Indian cricket fraternity and several cricketers offered their condolences. The Men in Blue, currently participating in the T20 World Cup 2024 paid their tributes to the former Ranji cricketer and were seen wearing black armbands.
Notably, the fast bowler recorded figures of 10 for 152 against Kerala in the 1995-96 Ranji season. He debuted for India in the Delhi Test against Australia in 1996. Later, he travelled to South Africa and played in the first Test. In his short Test career of two matches, Johnson ended up picking three wickets. In first-class cricket, the bowler picked up 125 wickets in 39 games averaging at 28.63 and a strike rate of 47.4.
Earlier during the game, India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first. During the toss, Afghan skipper Rashid Khan said, “It’s more about how you play the game in T20s. Happy with our preparations and how things have gone. We are facing good teams, need to control our emotions and play our natural game. It does help getting used to the conditions. We have to play good cricket.”