Focus on Zak, Yuvi’s fitness in mini camp

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Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh’s fitness will be the focus when Team India assembles here at Brabourne stadium on Friday. The 15-member Test squad will participate in the three-day conditioning camp here, ahead of the first Test against England from November 15 in Ahmedabad.

Coach Duncan Fletcher will oversee the sessions, which starts on Friday afternoon and may extend to full day sessions on the following two days. Zaheer, who has been struggling with fitness issues in the recent past, picked up a groin injury on the third day of the Ranji match against Railways and wasn’t involved in the game any further.

But the selectors picked him following a quick fitness test and the coach and support staff will keenly watch him bowl during the practice sessions here.

Meanwhile, as regards Yuvraj, who played his last Test a year ago, there are some doubts whether he can last rigours of a five-day game under tough conditions after winning his battle over cancer. The left-hander boosted his cause in the three-day game for India ‘A’ against England by notching a half-century and following it up with a five-wicket bag.

“It will be an interesting series against England. We have a good side and will assemble here to focus on our strengths and weakness. The process and preparation is important and results will follow,” Dhoni said.