Zaheer returned to first-class cricket in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy matches last week, where he picked up seven wickets over two innings against Punjab.

He has not played cricket since the Twenty20 World Cup in England, and his last Test match was against New Zealand in Wellington in April.

The selection panel, headed by K Srikkanth, will be keen to have Zaheer’s experience as India look to stretch their record of not losing a home Test to Lanka in 14 matches.

India’s pace attack has come under criticism over the last few months, with Ishant Sharma off-colour and the rest inconsistent, and according to sources, there could be a shake-up, with both Ashish Nehra and S Sreesanth in contention for a spot in the squad.

Nehra, who last played a Test match in 2004, has been part of the one-day team for a few months now and has shown glimpses of his form as he led the attack in Zaheer’s absence.

Sreesanth, meanwhile, hasn’t been part of the Indian side since April, 2008. He is currently leading Kerala in the Ranji Trophy season.

Stronger middle order

As for the batting, the return of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman should shore up a middle-order that has been extremely inconsistent in the series against Australia.