IND vs AFG: Why are India players wearing black armbands in T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan?

The Indian cricket team sported black armbands during its T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match against Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday. This gesture was in honour of former India pacer David Johnson, who tragically passed away earlier in the day in Bengaluru at the age of 52.

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Indian players pay tribute to David Johnson

David Johnson, a fast bowler who represented India in two Test matches in 1996, died after a fall from his fourth-floor balcony in his apartment. The circumstances surrounding his fall are currently under investigation, with local police looking into whether it was a case of suicide.

David Johnson's death has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. Known for his pace and promising talent, Johnson's career was brief but memorable. He made his Test debut against Australia in October 1996 and played his last Test against South Africa in December of the same year. Though his international career was short-lived, he remained a respected figure in Indian cricket, particularly remembered for his contributions to Karnataka's domestic cricket.

In their match against Afghanistan, the Indian team’s decision to wear black armbands was a mark of respect and solidarity with David Johnson's family. 

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IND vs AFG, T20 World Cup Super 8 match

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup here on Thursday.

India made one change, including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of pacer Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI.

Afghanistan also made a change with Hazratullah Zazai replacing Karim Janat.

India's Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Afghanistan's Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

(With PTI inputs)