Bangalore: Expressing concern over India's batting performance in recent times and serving a clear warning to players that a place in the squad against Australia cannot be taken for granted, skipper Sourav Ganguly indicated today hopefuls in form have a chance to break into the team.

"Options are open. Definitely yes. We will probably have to reach the stage where we might pick those who are in form. That's the key," Ganguly told reporters here.

Asked if any good performance caught his attention in the ongoing four-day practice game between India Seniors and India 'A' here, he pointed to Sridharan Sriram's century as well as Joginder Sharma's three wicket haul.

"Joginder bowled very well. There was not much pace on the wicket. He bowled with a lot of nip and accuracy," he said, adding, a lot of India 'A' players have been doing well.

He mentioned the names Sharma, Sriram, S S Paul, Dinesh Mongia, M S Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik in this context.

Ganguly expressed concern over India's batting performance, especially in One-day competitions in the last two-three months. "Batting has not been what we are used to seeing and used to doing. Definitely, a concern."

Captaining India Seniors, he hit 65 on the second day of the match today. Barring this, India's front-line batsmen -- Aakash Chopra (18), Virender Sehwag (6), Rahul Dravid (22), VVS Laxman (14) and Yuvraj Singh (14) -- failed to tick.

"It's been a disappointing batting performance once again today. Batsmen have not played well for the last two-three months. They are class players, and have got performances behind them. We need to use this game to get some practice. It did not work," he said.

Zaheer Khan is "back to his best" and the left-arm paceman definitely has "very, very good chance" of playing in the upcoming Test series against Australia, said Ganguly.

"He (Zaheer) is back to where he was. He is back to his best. He is looking fit...running in and bowling in great areas. He is definitely....very very good chance of playing in this series," Ganguly told reporters here.

Zaheer had proved his fitness and form with a three-wicket haul in the recent Irani Cup. He was pick of the India Senior bowlers in the ongoing practice match against India 'A' taking three wickets in the first innings and also secured the lone wicket that fell in the second knock on the second day.

Ganguly said Virender Sehwag's (poor) form with the bat is a matter of worry.

"It's a worry. He (Sehwag) is a match-winner. In the last series in Pakistan, he was Man of the Series. He scored a triple hundred and got more than 90 in Lahore. ...Because he is such a key member of the side."

To a question, he expressed happiness about his own form.

"I am hitting the ball well. I should have gone to make 100 because I was set," he said on his 65 against India 'A' in the ongoing four-day practice match here. "But it was a practice match. I hit the bat well."

Ganguly said it's good that Sachin Tendulkar, out of action in recent weeks because of a Tennis elbow, is not ruled out of the first Test against Australia commencing here on October 6.

"He (Tendulkar) is not ruled out, we know that. It's good. As I said before even if he makes himself available the day before the Test match, he picks himself," the captain reiterated.

Meanwhile, paceman Ashish Nehra has hurt his ankle during practice after the first day's play in the India Seniors Vs India 'A' four-day warm up game yesterday evening.

"Nothing serious. He should be okay to bowl in the second innings," Ganguly added.