South African's six leaves Kolkata policeman blind in one eye following Indian Premier League encounter
Miller involved in IPL freak accident
An Indian policeman has been left blind in one eye after being struck by a six hit by South African David Miller’s in an Indian Premier League clash between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Indian media reported that Aloke Aich, 53, was told by doctors last Thursday he would lose sight in the eye after being struck by the ball on May 9 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Miller tweeted that he was “deeply saddened” by the freak accident, which occurred during his innings of 27 not out for Punjab when one of the two sixes he hit struck Aich.
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.
— David Miller (@DavidMillerSA12) May 15, 2015
The 25-year-old Proteas batsman also released a statement, in which he said: "I wish this was not true. The incident and the ramifications have been terrible. I am sorry for Mr Aich's irreversible loss and wish him the best recovery possible."
Please see the attached statement from @DavidMillerSA12, our thoughts are with Mr Aich. pic.twitter.com/w1Mv7hIKdU
— Essentially Group (@essentially_grp) May 15, 2015
The Indian Express newspaper reported that Aich’s son said medical expenses would be looked after by Kolkata police but there was concern that the impairment may cost him his job.
"I don't know what will happen,” he told the newspaper. “With his right eye gone, I don't think he would be able to sit behind the wheel again.
"Will they keep him in the job or will he be asked to take voluntary retirement?
"How will we survive if he loses his job? We are a lower middle-class family, dependent solely on his income.”
Kings XI finished bottom of the ladder in IPL2015, having played their final match on Friday night.