Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur have been very active in the first half of the January transfer window, and it seems they may not be done just yet. They kicked things off by signing Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig, with an option to buy for £15m, and then struck a £27m deal to sign centre-back Radu Dragusin from Genoa.

Having strengthened their backline and their attack, Spurs' focus is now seemingly switching to the middle of the park. It was recently reported that they were planning to "make an investment" in Wolves' Joao Gomes, "very soon", and there's now been a development on that front.

Tottenham feel the need to recruit another option in holding midfield, having lost Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) to Africa Cup of Nations call-ups this month.

Spurs' Gomes bid now incoming

According to Gavea News, relayed by Sports Witness, Spurs are now preparing a "substantial" offer to sign Gomes. The 22-year-old has been attracting "significant interest" from North London, and Daniel Levy is now ready to step up the pursuit with a formal offer.

Significantly, it's said that Spurs look set to table a £30m proposal. Gomes' former club Flamengo are due 10% of the proceeds under the terms of his sale, so Gary O'Neil's side were always likely to drive a hard bargain, but the hope will be that an agreement can be reached fairly quickly.

"Pitbull" Gomes could give Postecoglou a headache

It's only been a year since Gomes arrived in English football, but he's clearly made a big impression on Spurs already. He would make 11 appearances in the second half of last season, seven from the start, and has now gone on to establish himself as a key player under Gary O'Neil this term with 17 starts from 20 league matches.

Gomes was nicknamed "all actioned packed midfielder" by scout Antonio Mango as a result of his aggressive style of play, and the numbers certainly bear that out. He's made the fourth-most tackles in the Premier League this year (57), and a whopping 10 of those came in a 4-1 win over Brentford in late December as he set a new season-high.

Every Premier League player at 2023 AFCON

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One criticism of Gomes may be that he takes things a little too far at times. He's already been booked 10 times during his time at Molineux, and he recently got himself sent off just nine minutes into an FA Cup third-round game at Brentford. The hope will be that this slight recklessness can be ironed out of his game as he gets older.

His promise is clear, but you could question whether signing him would be the wisest use of £30m. Yes, Spurs could be without Bissouma and Sarr until mid-February depending on their progress at AFCON, but when they return, Postecoglou will suddenly have a surplus of options all aged between 21 and 27 – a group that also includes Oliver Skipp, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – so that may create an issue in terms of ensuring each player gets enough minutes.

MatériaMais Notícias

da esoccer bet： Após a demissão do técnico Fernando Diniz, a diretoria do São Paulo vem sondando o mercado em busca de um novo treinador.

Torcedores do São Paulo querem André Villas-Boas: Listamos 25 técnicos promissores sem clube

No início dessa semana, a cúpula do Tricolor se reuniu virtualmente com o técnico argentino Guilhermo Barros Schelotto, sem clube desde outubro, quando foi dispensado do LA Galaxy, dos Estados Unidos. Após a conversa, o nome ganhou força para assumir o comando do clube nesta temporada.

SIMULE OS PRÓXIMOS JOGOS DO SÃO PAULO NO BRASILEIRÃO

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da cassino online： A direção são paulina tem priorizado nomes estrangeiros após a saída de Fernando Diniz do comando da equipe, na última segunda-feira (1). Além de Schelotto, o espanhol Miguel Ángel Ramirez, que tem pré-acordo firmado com o Internacional, e o português André Villas Boas, que nesta terça-feira (2), pediu demissão do Olympique de Marselie, da França, também são ventilados, mas o custo-benefício do argentino em relação aos outro profissionais, agradou o estafe são paulino.

A reportagem do LANCE!, pessoas próximas a Schelotto confirmaram a reunião, que teve participação do presidente do São Paulo, Julio Casares e Carlos Belmonte, homem forte do futebol Tricolor.

Schelotto, de 47 anos, ganhou destaque ao levar o Boca Juniors (ARG) ao vice-campeonato da Libertadores em 2018. Antes, foi contratado pelo Palermo (ITA), mas por não ter uma licença da UEFA acabou saindo da equipe. Seu último trabalho foi no Los Angeles Galaxy (EUA), onde foi demitido em outubro.

Vale ressaltar que ele chegou a ser sondado pelo Palmeiras para substituir Vanderlei Luxemburgo no ano passado, mas a diretoria alviverde contratou o português Abel Ferreira.

One year out from the T20 World Cup at home, Australia seem like they have the building blocks of a strong team

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Oct-2019Big PictureAn upbeat Sri Lanka went to Australia threatening to continue their outstanding Pakistan form, but like a skyrocket that veers off and flies through the neighbour’s open window, they only managed to wreak the most alarming – though spectacular – type of damage. It is difficult to imagine how the Adelaide match could have gone any worse. Kasun Rajitha’s record 0 for 75 made headlines, but the spinners also went at more than 10 an over, and Lasith Malinga went wicketless. On the batting front, no one made 20. Sri Lanka have had some limp limited-overs performances in the past two years, but this was among the very worst.ALSO READ – Maxwell interview: ‘You can’t play cricket bitter, you stop concentrating’ Australia don’t exactly have the record of an ace T20 side, having won only two of their seven most-recent series, but may have reason to consider themselves one of the best outfits in the world, with the return of David Warner and Steve Smith. Plenty is known about the explosive top three – Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell rounding it out – but there is a cohesive attack there too. On Sunday, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins essentially ended what slim chances Sri Lanka had of chasing down a gargantuan target, by blasting out the top three inside four overs. Sri Lanka could then barely get the Australian spinners off the square, and surrendered a clump of wickets to the wristspinner Adam Zampa, as they often do.One year out from the T20 World Cup at home, Australia seem like they have the building blocks of a strong team at their disposal. When they arrived in Australia, Sri Lanka thought they had building blocks too. They have the galling challenge of winning in Brisbane if they are to avoid not only a series loss, but also talk of the Pakistan series having been a false dawn.ALSO READ – Starc to miss second T20I against Sri LankaForm guideAustralia WWWLW (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWWWWIn the spotlightThere seems to be no team Glenn Maxwell enjoys playing more. He walloped 62 at a strike rate of 221 on Sunday, but going by his overall record against Sri Lanka, he might have actually underperformed. In four innings against them, he averages an astounding 140.5 (there are two not outs in there), with a strike rate 225. Particularly on tracks that do not offer drastic turn, Maxwell appears to have a psychological hold over the Sri Lanka attack – their bowlers seemingly incapable of out-manoeuvring or out-thinking him. More than a fifth of Maxwell’s career boundaries have come against Sri Lanka.Glenn Maxwell brought out all the shots•AFPSri Lanka made a litany of mistakes in the first match, but the first might have been to put Australia in to bat on what seemed an excellent batting surface. The decision seems especially strange when you account for Sri Lanka’s four previous T20s, which they had won batting first. Captain Lasith Malinga, who finds himself in the odd position of having to reimpose his leadership after the team did well without him in Pakistan. A victory at the Gabba could ease the pressure on him a little.Team newsMitchell Starc will miss the second T20 to attend his high-jump champion brother’s wedding. Billy Stanlake will likely play in his stead.Australia (possible): 1 David Warne, 2 Aaron Finch (capt.), 3 Glenn Maxwell, 4 Steve Smith, 5 Ashton Turner, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Ashton Agar, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Kane Richardson, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Billy StanlakeSri Lanka will likely leave Rajitha out and get Isuru Udana into the XI. They may also consider dropping the out-of-form Kusal Perera for Niroshan Dickwella.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Kusal Mendis, 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4 Oshada Fernando, 5 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Isuru Udana, 9 Lakshan Sandakan, 10 Lasith Malinga (capt.), 11 Nuwan PradeepPitch and conditionsThere is no rain expected, but cloud cover is forecast, which could aid swing with the new ball. Otherwise, expect your standard fast, bouncy Gabba surface.Stats and trivia Sri Lanka have lost seven out of the eight-most recent T20s that Malinga has captained. Their only victory came against New Zealand, when Malinga took four wickets in four balls. Maxwell’s three most-recent T20I scores are 62 off 28, 113* off 55, and 56 off 43. The 113 and 56 had come in February, in India. Sri Lanka have won each of their three previous T20 series in Australia.

What the Gabba and Galle results mean for each of the three teams, and New Zealand

S Rajesh19-Jan-2021The World Test Championship points table after the Border-Gavaskar series•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

India
India have moved to the top of the table, with a points percentage of 71.67, with New Zealand currently second. To stay ahead of New Zealand’s 70, they need 80 more points out of 120 in the four-Test home series against England. They can get there with a 2-0 series win; if they lose one Test in that series though, they will need to win three. Given India’s home record in the last eight years – 28 wins, one loss in 34 Tests – they should fancy their chances of securing those 80 points.Australia
The unexpected series defeat against India has severely dented Australia’s chances of making the top two. Their points percentage has dropped to 69.2, and they will need 89 points from the three-Test series against South Africa – which is yet to be confirmed – to go past New Zealand. That can only happen if they win at least two Tests and draw the third, in which case they will get 93 points from the series.This series defeat also brings into sharp focus the four points they dropped due to slow over-rate in Melbourne. Had they not dropped those points, they would have been on 70 even with this defeat at the Gabba. If teams are tied on points percentage, the runs-per-wicket ratio comes into play in determining the WTC finalist (since teams have played an unequal number of series in this cycle, the series wins criteria isn’t being considered); Australia’s ratio is currently 1.39 while New Zealand’s is 1.28.This means Australia would have stayed ahead of New Zealand if they hadn’t been docked those four points. Now, they will have to hope that the series against South Africa goes ahead and they win that at least by a 2-0 margin, or hope that India drop some points in the series against England.England
England’s win in Galle has brought them into the conversation as well, but for them to go past New Zealand, they will need to win the second Test in Sri Lanka, and then beat India 3-0. Even a 2-2 drawn series will not be enough for England to go past India and finish among the top two.

Liverpool made some eye-catching signings during the summer window and could now be set to enact a surprise double deal involving Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni.

After a frustrating period of matches, Arne Slot led his side to only their second win in their last eight fixtures against Aston Villa last weekend, offering something to build on ahead of the festive period.

Mohamed Salah’s 250th Premier League goal came as a landmark milestone, and his teammates stepped up after a dip in form, leaving them seven points off Arsenal in the Premier League title race as they gun for more silverware.

Admittedly, the visitors still produced moments of panic within the Liverpool backline. By no means were the Reds perfect last weekend, but three points are the only thing that matters after a dismal run of results that have caused them to drift from top spot.

Club legend Steven Gerrard spoke out in defence of Slot amid recent criticism involving the Dutchman, telling TNT Sports that ‘keyboard warriors’ won’t detract from the fine job he has done at Anfield.

He said: “It’s a great win; he deserves a lot of credit for that. But they come thick and fast, in two days’ time, the pressure will build again as he’ll be expected to beat Real Madrid.

“Compared to when we played there are a lot more people with microphones and cameras in front of their face, there are a lot more keyboard warriors and a lot of unnecessary noise. But it is football in the modern age, you have to take the rough with the smooth, that is life.”

Reds supporters will be fully behind their manager after the return he produced last term, and he could now be set to conclude a couple of lucrative deals to vastly improve his side.

Liverpool willing to bid for Eduardo Camavinga and Alessandro Bastoni

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are plotting an ambitious double swoop for Eduardo Camavinga and Alessandro Bastoni that could cost within the region of £122 million to complete.

Real Madrid won’t make it easy for Camavinga to leave the building, albeit the Reds’ desire to acquire him is there and they hope that their project could be enough to entice him to England.

In the case of Bastoni, he is viewed as a natural successor to Virgil Van Dijk, something that supporters could get on board with due to his left-sided nature, tenacity and willingness to contribute in all thirds.

The Italy star has registered a goal and three assists in 12 matches this season. On the other hand, Camavinga has notched a solitary strike in nine appearances, featuring either as a central midfielder, in a holding role, and even on the right flank.

Liverpool could earn £132 million to fund Camavinga and Bastoni deals

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha is also named as a target, though his situation is not as advanced. Either way, expect some notable future transfer dealings at Anfield.

Former Chelsea star David Luiz has been embroiled in a cheating scandal after leaked messsages appeared to show him asking for a 'threesome'.

Luiz embroiled in cheating scandalEx-Chelsea man's leaked messages emergeBrazilian asked for a 'threesome'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Portal Leodias, Luiz has been cheating on his fiancée, Bruna Loureiro, with a woman called Karol Cavalcante. She claimed that they had corresponded over social media, with the two never meeting in person, before Cavalcante leaked what are purported to be private Instagram messages between her and the former Arsenal player. Cavalcante alleged that Luiz suggested having a 'threesome' with her and a friend, with one purported message between the two saying she would be 'serving the lord' if they got together. Now, the Brazilian has responded to these allegations.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT LUIZ SAID

A statement from Luiz's management agency reads: "As previously reported, although there was a brief exchange via text message, there was never any face-to-face meeting between David Luiz and the person making the contrary allegations. According to an official statement from the Magna Praia Hotel, there is no record of the player staying at the hotel to date. David Luiz reaffirms his commitment to the truth and is confident that the facts will be duly clarified."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Former Brazil international Luiz, who now plays for Cypriot side Pafos, has been engaged to Loureiro since 2019, and together they have two children. 

AFPWHAT NEXT?

It remains to be seen what will come of these revelations in the coming days and weeks. Incidentally, Loureiro posted a cryptic message on social media in the wake of the scandal. 

She wrote on Instagram: "I hope good times find you wherever you are, even on the most ordinary days. May they arrive unexpectedly, like a beautiful coincidence seemingly written by the universe. May they come as a source of peace after a difficult day. May good times always be your path, even when you're not looking for them."

Frank Lampard was brought in at Everton to steady the ship following a tumultuous six months with Rafa Benitez, however, it hasn’t gone quite to plan and now insider Dean Jones has made a huge claim on the manager’s future.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to Football FanCast, transfer expert and journalist Jones has given his thoughts on Lampard’s future at Goodison Park come the end of the season.

He commented: “I don’t think he’ll stay if Everton go down. I’m not even sure he’ll stay if they stay up. To be honest with you. I think this is really up in the air.

“I think if they stay up, I could see Bilić getting a chance at it if they go down, I’m not sure so sure.”

Supporters will be gutted

The last thing that Everton needs right now is further upheaval in one of the most vulnerable periods of their club’s history, and if they were to suffer their first-ever Premier League relegation this season, stability at the club is essential for them to bounce back up, so supporters will surely be gutted if Lampard was to leave.

There are many areas of improvement that are needed at Goodison Park, but sacking managers hasn’t got the Toffees in a better position over the years since Farhad Moshiri arrived, with the owner sacking five permanent managers in six years so far.

Therefore, it doesn’t seem like a path the club needs to necessarily go down to turn things around no matter the situation they find themselves in at the end of the season.

Since his arrival, the 43-year-old manager has won four, drawn one and lost eight which isn’t the record the supporters would have hoped for when he was appointed. Yet, given the squad he has inherited that has been plagued with the worst injury record in the Premier League this season, if he manages the great escape from relegation it’s a huge achievement.

With that being said, it seems premature to sack a manager who has had a limited amount of time to coach the team, no opportunities to rebuild or acquire players over a full transfer window and has a squad riddled with injuries, however, it will be interesting to see where Lampard’s fate will lie should the side drop into the Championship next season.

AND in other news: Forget Holgate: Everton must unleash “composed” 18y/o tank with “plenty of potential”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to make a “special” star one of his first Manchester United signings, according to a new report.

Man Utd’s January plans

With Ratcliffe taking control of sporting decisions at Old Trafford from the Glazers, some Red Devils supporters may be hoping to see the club active in the winter window.

That’s because Erik ten Hag’s side have had a mixed season to date, with back-to-back away defeats in the Premier League to West Ham and Nottingham Forest sandwiched in-between a dramatic comeback victory over Aston Villa.

The club now have the chance to bolster their squad this month, but it looks as if attention could be on moving some players out before any arrive. Recent reports have claimed that United are ready to accept an offer for Raphael Varane this month, with Jadon Sancho returning to Borussia Dortmund also on the cards.

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When it comes to incomings, The Athletic shared a Man Utd transfer update earlier this week, saying that not a lot of money looks set to be available to Ten Hag this month but ‘United might squeeze out another low-cost loan’ for a new forward with RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy thought to be options.

Man Utd targeting Michael Olise

With January additions seemingly limited, Ratcliffe and INEOS may have their eyes on making their mark in the summer, and it looks as if a move or a Premier League star is on the cards.

According to The Evening Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella, Man Utd are interested in making Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise ‘one of the first signings’ of the Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are planning a squad overhaul in the summer and are targeting Olise, who is ‘viewed as a player who could help revitalise United’s woeful attack’. He has a release clause in his new Crystal Palace contract, with his previous clause sitting at £35m before he signed new terms at Selhurst Park.

The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength since moving to Palace from Reading in 2021 and has already enjoyed his best goalscoring season in the top flight, netting five times in nine appearances. (Michael Olise stats – Transfermarkt)

Primarily a right-winger, Olise has also featured as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder and on the left, showing the versatility he could offer at Old Trafford. He even scored a brilliant late free-kick against United last season at Selhurst Park.

Praised by teammate Joel Ward, Olise has been labelled a "special talent who could "go onto new heights".

“Michael’s a special talent. The world’s his oyster and he’s just getting better and better from game to game, so I think he’s going to go onto new heights and set the bar. If he continues that way, he’s going to go on to special things.”

Olise was wanted by Chelsea last year but decided to stay put at Palace, but following this update, as 2024 progresses, a move for the attacker could be one to keep an eye on.

Allrounder eyes chance to fufil one of his career ambitions and win a series in India

George Dobell22-Feb-2021

England’s seamers have been “licking their lips” at the thought of using a pink ball under floodlights in Ahmedabad, according to Ben Stokes.While England succumbed to a defeat by 317 runs in a second Test dominated by the spinning ball, Stokes believes the third could be “a completely different game” with the seamers expected to play a larger role.Indeed, Stokes claims the seamers’ net session under lights on Sunday had to be abandoned after conditions became “really dangerous” and “a few guys actually got hit”. Partially as a consequence, he feels England have a “great chance” to fulfil one of his career ambitions and establish a series-defining position in the coming days.”Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Jofra Archer have been licking their lips, I can tell you,” Stokes told talkSPORT. “It’s a completely different game.”It was funny in training yesterday, when the lights came on, the nets actually got really dangerous. The bowlers had to stop bowling in the nets because we were actually worried that some of the batters were going to get injured because the ball started jumping off a length and a few guys actually got hit.”We had to take the bowlers out into the middle to finish their spells. Whether that’s going to be similar in the middle we’re not sure. But you can tell the difference when bowling with a red ball in the normal times you see Tests played to bowling with a pink ball when the lights are on.”While England’s experience may turn out to reveal more about the quality of pitches in the nets rather than anything about the pink ball, it does strengthen the suspicion that England may revert to an attack including only one spinner in this Test. If that were the case, it would probably mean Joe Root operating as a second spinner to Jack Leach with no recall for Dom Bess.Anderson looks certain to return with the new ball, with Archer also likely to be recalled having overcome a minor elbow injury. That means Chris Woakes, whose batting could be crucial as England seek to avoid a long tail, could be vying with Broad for the final spot in the side.Archer, who missed the second Test through injury, revealed in a separate interview that he had had a cortisone injection to help settle an elbow complaint, adding that he had been expecting to sit out that contest anyway on account of England’s rest and rotation policy.James Anderson will be ‘licking his lips’ to use the pink ball, says Stokes•BCCI

“I tried to use the best of the two-week window,” Archer said. “I could have played the second Test if needed but I was going to be rested anyway so I just tried to get the cortisone injection then so I would have enough time to rebuild for the third Test”It’s always nice to be in competition for a spot,” he added. “If I don’t get it that’s fine. I would much rather win the Test series than try to play lots of games.”Stokes also admitted he had been inspired to make improvements in his own game by his captain. Such was Root’s hunger for self-improvement that Stokes said he had rethought his own game-plans and become a more consistent player as a result.”I look at Rooty,” Stokes said. “He’s one of the best players in the world. I’m going to say it now: he is England’s greatest batsman to play the game.”But he’s still looking at ways to improve as a player and a captain. It’s amazing to watch someone with his skill doing that. Even as a senior player, I look up to how he’s always trying to improve. That’s what I do: I always try and evolve and try to work things out to become a better player. No one is ever the finished article. There’s always room for improvement with every player.”I got rid of the ‘this is how I play’ excuse massively – in terms of always looking to be aggressive or attacking – when I realised that was just an excuse for when failures happen.”Every now and then the ‘that’s how I play’ mind-set would work and pay off ,and I’d do some decent things. But not as consistently as I can now. I expect a lot more of myself these days compared to back then.Related

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“Once I got rid of that mind-set, I had more understanding of the game situation. I understood when I needed to change the way I play in terms of being a little bit more defensive because, in the long term, that could be better for the team.”So, [I understood that], if I stay in longer and survive the tough bits, then I can go up into fourth or fifth gear.”While winning the Ashes in Australia remains one of Stokes’ key ambitions, he feels winning in India would represent just as big an achievement. And, with the series poised at 1-1 and the prospect of a match in which seamers could play a prominent role ahead, he feels the next couple of weeks presents “a great chance” for England to secure a rare series victory in India.”As a cricketer, if you can retire having won an ICC event, the Ashes at home, the Ashes away and this tour, for me, is one of those: beating India in India, it would be amazing,” he said. “It would be amazing to stay I’ve been able to accomplish all those things.”I still need to tick off another two: Australia in Australia and India here. But we’ve a great chance to do that over the next couple of weeks.”To follow the action from India, download the talkSPORT app, re-tune your DAB radio, listen at talkSPORT.com or tell your smart speaker to ‘play talkSPORT 2’. Coverage starts at 8am with live play from 9am.

Rohit Sharma’s decision to keep three overs of Khaleel Ahmed for the death backfired

Sidharth Monga in Delhi04-Nov-20198:02

Did a conservative Powerplay hurt India?

It was difficult to focus on it through the toxic haze, and even more difficult for those playing it – two players vomited during the game – but the Feroz Shah Kotla T20I was a great study in minute tactics and larger struggles of batsmen looking to find their touch, and the intersection of both. One captain known for his studied and deliberate decision-making went against a side known for emotionally charged cricket, and it made for a gripping finish.Rohit Sharma, India’s stand-in captain but a clinical leader of the Mumbai Indians, made a seemingly un-clinical move by leaving the young Khaleel Ahmed three overs to bowl in the last six. His third eventually went for 18, sealing Bangladesh’s chase, relieving some of the nightmares Mushfiqur Rahim might have had from the unfinished job in Bengaluru three years ago.Players actually think less of those nightmares than we do. Not least because Mushfiqur knew he has finished many a game off for Bangladesh since then. It was more challenging from the point of view of where Mushfiqur stood and where his team stood. After all the drama of the last fortnight – “the toughest two weeks of my 15-year career” – Mushfiqur knew the only way back was winning matches.ALSO READ: ‘Nothing feels more special’ – Mushfiqur Rahim on making tough runsIn the way of that win were struggles on a slow pitch with turn on it and canny spinners exploiting it. Mushfiqur and Soumya Sarkar struggled to find any sort of fluency in their innings. After they had spent six overs together, ESPNcricinfo’s Forecaster gave them a 65% chance of winning. It seemed optimistic: the ball was turning, and the two were going at around a run a ball despite having tried adventurous shots.The T20 rule of thumb for these situations in chases is that you hit out only if the conditions are flat. Otherwise, if you are a seasoned batsman, if you are finding it difficult, chances are the next batsman will find it more difficult. So you back yourself. So Mushfiqur and Soumya decided to fight it out and take the game deep and wait for the seamers.Unknown to themselves, the Bangladesh pair pushed the seamers back by simply not getting out, leaving, as a result, Khaleel with three overs at the end. Now Rohit might ask Jasprit Bumrah or Lasith Malinga to bowl three at the death, but he ideally doesn’t want Khaleel in that position. However, he is calculating in his head that after Soumya, Mahmudullah will come out to bat, so he is waiting to see if he can re-introduce Khaleel to two right-hand batsmen instead of a left-hand batsman.It is as much about protecting Khaleel’s left-arm angle into the left-hand batsman as it is about exploiting the angle across the right-hand batsmen. Rohit would later say that the angle troubled them too. Rohit knows he can keep Yuzvendra Chahal back for one over but other spinners need to bowl out before the death. So that window to get that one Khaleel over out of the way is brief, a window that Mushfiqur and Soumya unwittingly shut by just looking to take the game deep.Chahal goes for just one run in the tenth, Washington Sundar concedes just four in the 13th, the first six overs of the partnership bring just 40 runs, the asking rate keeps rising, but neither of them gives up the ghost.”Only the batsmen in the middle know what’s going on in the pitch,” Mushfiqur said. “Not anyone in the dugout, not the next batsman. I told Soumya if one of us bats till the 19th over, we can still chase 25 because they will bowl seamers.”It is true India would bowl seamers in the last two, but to get three straight overs from Khaleel to be able to line him up is a bonus Bangladesh get without really working towards it. In ultimate irony, Khaleel gets the wicket of the left-hand batsman, a precondition, if fulfilled sooner, that might have given him an easier task at the death. Such events can make a captain look silly at times, but captaincy is not done in hindsight. Rohit had a sound cricketing reason for what he did.And so begins the 19th over with all the similarities of that Bengaluru heartbreak coming to fore. A similar target, same opposition, the same two batsmen out in the middle. This time, though, they have Khaleel instead of Bumrah. The stakes might not be as high as in a virtual World Cup quarter-final, but losing will raise more questions about their finishing abilities against India. Losing will send them back to thinking about the events of the last two weeks.Mushfiqur gets the better of Khaleel here, ruining his figures of three overs for 20 runs. Mushfiqur eventually ends with a strike rate of 140, Bangladesh have their first win in India after having let the Forecaster drop to 49%, but it is fascinating to imagine how the game plays out if Soumya falls to spin around the 11th over. Khaleel tries to sneak an over in, but surely Bangladesh don’t sit back and let him bowl that over. Or perhaps, in a similar situation next time, Rohit – who usually has a proper sixth-bowling option at Mumbai Indians – tries to sneak one in from Shivam Dube.There is relief too that the next such set piece will be played in much more breathable air.