India`s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been included in the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy game against Orissa starting November 29 which also be his fitness test ahead of India`s tour Down Under.

The selectors will be provisionally picking Zaheer as the 17th member of the side when they select the Test squad on Saturday and his inclusion would be confirmed after the Orissa match.

Zaheer pulled out on the first day of the first Test against England at the Lord`s due to a hamstring injury. Although he subsequently recovered from that but had to undergo an ankle surgery which kept out for almost four months now.

Orissa match will certainly test whether Zaheer is fit enough to sustain the rigours of day`s cricket and whether he can bowl multiple spells. India discard Ajit Agarkar will share the new ball with Zaheer.