David Johnson - India - Batsman

The Arasikere-born quick David Johnson had the ability to bowl with decent pace. However, he was wayward and could only play a couple of Tests for India. Johnson had his breakthrough seasons when he snared 25 and 30 wickets in 1994-95 and 1995-96, respectively. With Srinath getting injured, Johnson made his Test debut against Australia in Delhi in 1996-97.

Johnson did pick up the scalp of Australian opener, Michael Slater in the second innings. But it has to be said that it was a wide delivery and the swashbuckling opener went after it, and paid the price. Johnson also was selected for the tour of South Africa in 1996-97. However, he was dropped after the Test in Durban and his place was taken by his Karnataka pace colleague, Ganesh.

In fact, he took a five-wicket haul in a tour game against Free State after he was dropped. But that wasn't enough for him to force his way back into the Test side.

Barring a couple fine shows during the later part of his First-Class career, he soon faded away from the scene. In his penultimate First-Class game, Johnson also cracked a century against Goa. Intriguingly, these days, he plays in the KPL.

By Bharath Ramaraj