Bengaluru, 20 June

Former India pacer David Johnson died on Thursday after he allegedly jumped to death from his fourth-floor apartment balcony in Bengaluru. The 52-year-old pacer had allegedly battled depression alongside health issues.

The cricketer lived in the SLV Paradise apartment at Kanakashree Layout in Kothanur. According to his neighbours, Johnson was rushed to Crescent Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The former Indian pacer was discharged from a hospital three days ago after undergoing treatment. No suicide note was recovered and no foul play was suspected, police said. However, a senior police official said Johnson had been visiting a de-addiction centre in the City.

Sachin Tendulkar led the tributes describing him as someone who was ‘full of life’ and ‘never gave up on the field’. “David did not look like the kind who would take his own life. We played together since our Under-19 days and even the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka. He could take on any odds, be it the opposition on the field or in life. He was up for all the good things in life,” former Karnataka batsman and Ranji trophy player Fazal Khaleel told Salar News.

Speaking to Salar News, sports journalist and cricket writer Joseph Hoover, said, “We have lost a good human being and a fine cricketer. Unfortunately, he did not live the way he should have. He stretched it and went beyond his means,” he said.

Johnson's journey began in 1996, making his Test debut against Australia. He toured South Africa in 1997, playing his last match in Durban. He played for Karnataka until 2002. He was part of a formidable pace attack in the 1990s alongside Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Dodda Ganesh and Anil Kumble.

His international career was short, ending after two Tests with three wickets. But those three wickets were of top-class batters -- Michael Slater, Herschelle Gibbs and Brian MacMillan.

Johnson, who was known for his pace from a slightly slingy action, took 125 First-Class wickets and 41 List-A scalps from 39 matches. His finest effort in the domestic circuit was a 10 for 152 against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy, and it brought him into the national reckoning.

Reportedly, his keen interest in horse racing as an owner and aficionado often landed him in financial turmoil. Johnson had to find some odd jobs to make both ends meet, and he also relocated to Chennai for better tidings at one point.

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-Salar News