Deepak Hooda departs for Australia after recovering from back injury

Deepak Hooda (PC: Twitter)

In the latest development, India's big-hitting middle order batter Deepak Hooda, who was suffering from back niggle during South Africa has departed with the Indian team for T20 World Cup in Australia.

Hooda, who was recovering from his back injury in National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru has fully recovered following some quality treatment by medical staff that saw him go through medical assessment.

Along with Deepak, pacer Jasprit Bumrah was also rehabilitating from his recurring serious back injury that saw him ruled out of the mega-event. Although, his replacement hasn't been announced yet but the team management has made it clear that it will only be done once they land Down Under.

Expecting his substitution within a week, it could be one of Mohammad Shami, Deepak Chahar or Mohammed Siraj with the 32-year old Shami favourite to get the nod, who might travel with reserves to Australia.

Indian team left for Sydney on Thursday morning with 14-member squad led by skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid, who will be undergoing a conditioning camp in Perth for a week, after which they are expected to face Western Australia XI for two matches and subsequently, two warm-up matches against Australia and New Zealand.

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