From sify.com (before the team’s departure to Amsterdam):

“Even though Irfan Pathan has come a long way and has been contributing with the bat and Ajit Agarkar is back in the side, I still feel Dravid has to keep wickets so that we can have an additional batsman in the side,” Ganguly said.

He really thinks Agarkar is as good as Pathan?

And does he know that if Dravid is surely going to keep wickets, then there is no need for KKD Karthik to be there? Especially if the squad is only 14?

And then:

“I know we have many wicketkeepers but the issue here is not about the wicketkeepers as such but about the ‘keepers who can deliver as batsman. We have picked Dinesh Karthik (the new ‘keeper in place of Parthiv Patel). I am told that he is been scoring heavily in domestic matches and I hope he will get a chance to prove his worth,” Ganguly said.

So he thinks there is a possibility of playing Karthik as #7 batsman? Hmm, at least the thought is noble. I think it would be better to fly in a ‘keeper if needed, but have a batsman in the squad because an extra bat like Gavaskar or Badani needs to get acclimatised more than a ‘keeper bat.

And a good point about Kaif:

“Judging his form will not be fair as he goes down the order when there is hardly any assistance from the other end. If he gets 30-40 odd runs and stops another 20-25 on the field, he will have done his duty.”