New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Indian hockey team’s goalkeeper Baljit Singh underwent a critical operation on his right eye here Saturday after he suffered a serious injury during training at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
On Friday Baljit was struck on his eye while practising with a golf ball during a session with goalkeeping coach Romeo James in Pune, where the team is practising for its European tour starting July 24.

The impact was so hard that it damaged his retina, cornea and lens of his eye. He was immediately flown to Delhi and underwent a three-hour operation at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under cornea specialist Sudershan Khokhar.

Baljit will be kept under observation for the next few days. Hockey India and the Sports Authority of India will bear the cost of the player’s medical expenses.

Baljit will now be replaced in the 22 member squad by P.R. Sreejesh. India will play 12 Tests in England, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands during its four-week tour.