Former captain Sunil Gavaskar today said thatIndia pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is going through a lean patch, should beput through "stringent tests" to ascertain his fitness in the run upto the first of the four-match Test series against England.
"I think what they should be doing is because there is still8 or 9 days to go before the test match begins, they need to have stringentfitness test for him a couple of days before the game," Gavaskar said.
"So 13th Nov, they should have a stringent fitness testfor him where he bowls full speed and runs, so that selectors know he is 100per cent fit. If he doesn't do that on the 13 Nov then they shouldbe looking at someone else," he added.
The new selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil today includedZaheer Khan in the 15-member squad for the first two Tests against Englandstarting November 15.
Zaheer Khan and Sachin Tendulkar played for Mumbai in the RanjiTrophy match against the Railways to get back to form ahead of the four-matchTest series.
Gavaskar said, "In case of proven performers, somebody with400 plus wickets in Test, I don't think Ranji performance is important as longas selection committee believes that he has been bowling well, they can comeback in the team.
"It's like a batsman, a proven batsman who hasthousands of runs in Test cricket and if he doesn't do well in a Ranji Trophygame it doesn't mean he is not good enough for the national team," he toldNDTV.
Gavaskar also said that he would have preferred a 12-memberteam instead of a 15-men squad as the Ranji Trophy is going on in full swing.
"I would actually prefer a 12-member squad. There is a Ranjimatch that is happening. Then I would have players playing Ranji Trophymatches. It is better to have practice than to sit in the dressing room and donothing," he said.
"If selection committee decides this is going to be theformation of their 11, well may be keep a couple of players handy in case ofany last minute illness on the morning of the match. I would think they shouldrelease at least two players to go back and play in Ranji trophy," headded.