It’s a run of rotten luck for Kings XI Punjab player David Miller and his fans. The South African cricketer’s shots during the eighth season of the Indian Premier League have struck two spectators in the past week, a 10-year-old boy at Mohali being the latest target.
The boy was injured on Saturday when a ball hit him on his chest during a warm-up practice session ahead of the final IPL league match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at the PCA stadium.
Miller was practising pull shots close to the Kings XI Punjab dressing room when he smashed a ball past low nets placed to prevent spectators from throwing stuff in. The ball hit 10-year-old Sidharth Upadhya.
Sidharth, who had come from Bhopal with his father Mayank Upadhya to watch the afternoon match, fainted and was carried to the medical room at the cricket ground by a cop.
PCA chief executive officer Brig GS Sandhu (retired) confirmed the incident. Sidharth later complained of chest pain and was rushed to a hospital. He was doing fine, a source at the hospital he was being treated at said.
A police constable earlier lost eyesight in his right eye after being struck by a ball hit for a six by Miller during an IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Miller said he was in a state of shock after coming to know of the incident.
{{/usCountry}}A police constable earlier lost eyesight in his right eye after being struck by a ball hit for a six by Miller during an IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Miller said he was in a state of shock after coming to know of the incident.
{{/usCountry}}Aloke Aich, who was watching the match from the gallery at Block G last Sunday, is now being treated at the Calcutta Medical Research Institute Hospital in south Kolkata.
"I am still in a state of shock and deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Mr. Aich's eye. A freak accident! My prayers are with u," Miller tweeted.
"I wish this was not true! The incident and its ramifications have been terrible. I am sorry for mr Aich's irreversible loss and wish him the best recovery possible.My thoughts and prayers will be with Mr. Aich constantly," a statement by Miller read.
"The doctor has informed that he (Aich) won't get the vision back in his right eye. He is our sole breadwinner," said the victim's son Rana Aich.
"I hope the police authorities let him keep his job," said a tense Rana, an unemployed graduate.
Police have assured they would stand by their colleague.
"Obviously we will be by the side of Aich, who has unfortunately lost an eye. We are with them at their moment of need," said Special Additional Joint Commissioner of Police Rajeev Mishra.
The 53-year-old Aich was injured in the final over of the match and had to be hospitalised after initial treatment by the medical unit at the Eden Gardens.
With inputs from Agencies