Brad Haddin targets India tour return

Melbourne: Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin is hoping for a shock return to the Australia team for the tour of India next month after undergoing a radical blood treatment of his elbow tendon injury that made batting impossible.

The 32-year-old, who has played 27 Tests since Adam Gilchrist retired his wicketkeeper gloves, missed last month's one-day series against England and the two Tests played against Pakistan because of the injury.

He suffered the injury in March while playing against New Zealand and aggravated it during the Twenty20 World Cup in England.

Haddin is buoyed by the relief he experienced after a recent blood treatment that has been used to help fast-track American footballers recover from ligament injuries.

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The procedure involves blood being drawn from his body and the red blood cells and plasma separated. A doctor injected the resultant concentration of platelets back into the affected area, and Haddin said he's felt relief ever since.

"I've had two (procedures) and the second injection seemed to calm the tendon down and that has allowed me to get some strength back into my arm," he said.

"Touch wood, but it hasn't responded badly at all... I've been 'shadow batting', which I guess is a bit like playing air guitar, and it's a good sign," he was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Australia visit India for a two-Test and three-ODI tour starting from October 1. They will play a tour match from September 25-27 at Mohali.