Deep Mandalia

Indian Cricket 🏏, Manchester United & SSC Napoli⚽️

[Real Madrid C.F. @realmadrid]

👏👏👏

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨💣 BREAKING: Éderson to Manchester United, here we go!

Deal done with Atalanta for €45m package with add-ons included, agreement now in place.

Medical and formal steps to follow but deal in place.

Éderson will sign a four year deal plus option, as @TheAthleticFC reports.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 OFFICIAL: Bruno Fernandes breaks Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single Premier League season.

21 assists delivered this season. 👑🇵🇹

History. 🎞️

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 💣🤍

All terms have been verbally agreed between José Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents.

Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game.

The Special One is back.

[Liam Canning @LiamPaulCanning]

Carrick might have a few blind spots, but overall, he has saved Manchester United's season from another year of despair. UCL confirmed. Probably 3rd or 4th maximum. He deserves the appointment but has to be backed heavily in the market. Far more matches next season and need a deep squad full of quality.

[Aravind @aravind]

The Gulf (the water body as marked) is where most of oil and natural gas is found in the middle east. From the coast of Kuwait & Iraq in the west to UAE in the east.

As we all know, the straits of Hormuz (blue arrow) that Iran is disrupting now is what connects The Gulf to Arabian Sea.

Ships load oil and gas in The Gulf and move through the strait into Arabian Sea and beyond.

There are some pipelines that have been built by Gulf countries in preparation for any issues to Straits of Hormuz.

We will look at just (1) and (7) as they matter to the current situation.

(1) is called the petroline, built by Saudi. It can carry about 5+ million barrels of oil from The Gulf to the Red Sea where ships can take them north into Europe or east into Asia/Africa.

(2) is called the Abu Dhabi pipeline which can carry about 1.5 million barrels of oil from The Gulf to the Arabian sea.

So what's happening now is loaded oil tanker ships that were caught up on the west/left side of the Straits of Hormuz (blue arrow) are now transferring their oil slowly into the Saudi Pipeline and the UAE pipeline.

The empty tankers to the east/right of the Straits of Hormuz (blue arrow) are now heading to the red sea port of Saudi or Arabian port of Oman to load up the oil coming via pipelines.

So this will help ease the oil supply crunch via the Straits of Hormuz to an extent. But the issue is the Straits of Hormuz oil shipping tend to carry a lot more oil than the pipelines together.

Now, Iran is shipping about 1 million+ barrels a day of oil out via the Straits of Hormuz which the US is not stopping or blowing up. Because the US doesn't want the price of oil to go up.

Iran wants oil price to go up to hurt the US and the world and also wants to make money from its own oil. That's why it is hitting nearby countries oil facilities knowing well they won't hit back the same way.

The more bigger issue in terms of oil now is some of the oil/gas plants have been shut down by Qatar, Saudi etc due to the disruptions.

This reduces oil output itself to accommodate for the reduced oil transfer rates.

But to compensate, the IEA has released a lot of oil and US is releasing a lot of oil from their strategic reserves.

So in terms of India, there must not be a big issue with respect to oil. Except higher prices paid to procure it.

As India can get oil via the middle east now (via pipes and ships) and also seems to have worked out something with Iran to get its ships across Hormuz.

India can actually buy some of the Iranian oil too silently if needed, I think.

This may be more of the real reason for Dr. J and PM's calls to Iran recently and less about India bound ships crossing the straits.

As you can see from all this, the real issue for India if this war prolongs is Gas, Urea, Helium etc Which India is working on now talking to countries like Canada.

[Deep Mandalia @Playl]

@bhaleraosarang Wow♥️🔥

[Sarang Bhalerao @bhaleraosarang]

A 76-run loss means a poor net run-rate and 2 wins is an absolute must but still does not guarantee a SF place.

India must accept their shortcomings and move forward with a plan.

If I was part of the decision making group here's what I'd do now in the remaining games. With reasons

1. Open with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma

- The opposition is coming with plans to bowl off-spin first up and India have not been able to get going. Be it Agha and Aryan dismissing Abhishek or Markram dismissing Ishan.
- If you see an off-spinner let Sanju Samson take strike first-up. If a pacer is bowling Abhishek ould take strike.
- Zimbabwe surely will open with Sikandar Raza or Brian Bennett if they see 2 LHBs. If India send RHB-LHB then Blessing Muzarabani could open the bowling

2. Flexible No.3 - try to have LHB and RHB at all times

I wouldn't mind Ishan Kishan batting at No.3/4 from here on. He does that for SRH and that could be a new role for him.

Suryakumar at 3 depending on who gets out first in first 3-4 overs. Entry point of Suryakumar for Mumbai Indians is usually after 4 overs. Indian openers haven't got of to starts hence Suryakumar is batting at 4.

Zimbabwe unit has good pacers and they bowl back of length deliveries be it Muzarabani or Brad Evans.

India should be prepared for this.

3. India loves a floater at No.5 but this role should be situation based

Washington Sundar at 5 or Axar at 5 in WC final of 2024: this role was given to them as wickets fell early and India expected finishers to come a little later ideally post 12-over mark.

Should India continue with this strategy and leave out a pure batter at 8? This is not just for the next game but a strategy they have to adopt in all games.

If there's spin barrage get Dube in at 5 to optimise him. Especially v Burl, Cremer, Masakadza or Motie, Hosein in the WI game.

Get Hardik if Raza has his overs remaining.

4. Rule of thumb: one of the top 4 have to remain out there till 15 overs. Suryakumar has been playing this role of the anchor considering poor returns of the opening pair. With Ishan at 3 or 4, Suryakumar can play freely too and yet hold the innings together.

5. Overs 7-14 v South Africa was an eye opener: so should India compromise batting depth and get a wicket-taking option in this phase? India had no plan B once Varun Chakravarthy went for runs. It is here where they lost the grip of the match. In hindsight wouldn't they have lived to have a wicket-taking option? That's an important question moving forward. India's next games will be in Chennai, Kolkata and posdibly
Mumbai & Colombo. Variety in the bowling attack v batting depth is a tough choice

6. Not tinker the combination now for remaining games. T20 World Cup is a short tournament and too many changes disturbs the equilibrium. India did a lot of changes in 2012 - they had one bad game and were out. In 2021, Rohit batted at 3 and Kohli at 4 - India didn't reach SF. The combination India plays v Zimbabwe should be locked and they should trust the players to deliver. Tactically be sound and the execution will happen.

7. 3 spinners, 2 pacers and 1 all-rounder

6 bowling options. Batting till No.7
And I think that should be the way to go.

Important to study plans of opposition too. Zimbabwe loves Bennett to hold one end. Hetmyer at 3 comes with a specific role. Forde, Shamar, Holder, spinners have different plans. Motie bowls leg break to LHB especially sliders.
There are dimensions to be considered, areas where deep fielders should stand. Many many subplots and it'll be tough to tell it all here.

Disclaimer: These are personal opinions considering conditions and what combination I feel would click.

The preparation has to be top notch. That's the only thing in India's control now.

Prepare, execute and be consistent.

[Deep Mandalia @Playl]

@bhaleraosarang Spot on !😍

[Sarang Bhalerao @bhaleraosarang]

Australia have failed to enter the Super 8 stage and it is a surprise for many of you but it was coming and here are the reasons.

Before beginning the analysis let us understand venues where they were supposed to play: R Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele International Stadium - first two games v Ireland, Zimbabwe and last two against Sri Lanka and Oman.

Before picking any squad it is very important to do three things in my opinion

1) Study the conditions like a hawk, understand the pitches, dimensions the recent scores. See who has performed and if need be watch the games. See where wickets fall, where runs are scored.
This is where most of the preparation starts which ideally is 3-4 months before the event and it is developing
2) This is again the most important step where it is important to form tactics. E.g. if the opposition could have 2 LHBs as openers: should we pick an off spinner who bowls in the first 6 and strike at 150+? Or is there a merit to chose only a bowler or do we have part time option who can bowl a couple of overs per game. If one side of boundary is big and other is short: shall we go with flexibility in the line up so there are LHB and RHB batting together especially at R Premadasa Stadium? Do we need an anchor to bat for 15 overs - SR of 130 and others to hit around him.
3. After identifying the tactics and style of play then zero in on personnel.

Now clearly something was missing. Australia did not look prepared - read the conditions wrong v Zimbabwe. Lost 4 wickets in PP and lost the game.

Was there a merit in getting Smith at 3 or 4 for this tournament considering his experience and his style of play. Australia decided to move away from him which is okay if the batters who were backed have the style suited for the conditions.

Tim David has done well at 4 but his strength is hitting down the ground. Premadasa isn't six hitting venue so should he have been batting lower in the order? The No.4 is expected to rotate strike.

It is not a bad idea to get a consultant for the tournament and get the tactics right. In 2003-04 tour Indian team had Bruce Reid as bowling coach - coaching young pace unit. India drew the series in Australia

No Cummins, Hazlewood was a huge blow. But this is where roles for pacers should've been defined. Is there a hit the deck bowler who can bowl back of length with the new ball. These conditions seldom helps swing bowlers. Muzarabani and Brad Evans picked 7 wickets in Premadasa by bowling back of length.

When things don't go as per plan there's a hope for Maxwell special or individual rising to the occasion. That didn't happen.

In Kandy, there was dew expected. Bowling first could've been an advantage v SL but Australia were well placed.

The middle order flattered to deceive and it was again the lack of experience and clarity as to how to proceed. 181 was 25 short from where they should've been.

Renshaw was dropped which was understandable but should he have batted at 3 all throughout the competition seeing the conditions? Or opened in Marsh's absence? Could Australia have taken that call in hindsight? Tough to say.

The opposition - Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka - came with a plan - to just attack Zampa. They succeeded and Australia looked clueless. They panicked. Ellis was another bright spot but he had the pressure of picking wickets so tried many things. And that's how Australia disintegrated.

As I say preparation for all eventualities is a must. There was confusion on team selection, plans mid tournament which indicates they were not prepared.

Hence they are eliminated.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka looked far better prepared than Australia in their respective games. And result, I must say, was no accident. It was a fair result - a reflection of two mindsets - winning and not losing.

Winning mindset finds ways to succeed. Not losing is an attitude where reputation, at times, precedes the current task in hand and then the pursuit is to not lose. Mistakes creep in.

[Sarang Bhalerao @bhaleraosarang]

A few things India could look to plan before Pakistan game

Let's understand R. Premadasa Stadium. Long boundaries and the pitch generally aids spin bowling. 160+ should be a good total

It won't be a bad idea to go in with Kuldeep at that venue. If the pitch is very dry then 4 spinners could also be a possibility.

India need to ensure they have a solid base going into the final 6-7 overs.

In PP, Pakistan will look at deep square leg as catching position.

Expecting Pakistan to unleash their spinners v India. Harmeet, Mohsin, Scholtz, Erasmus have had good game v India. Challenge will be v Usman, Abrar, Nawaz, Saim.

With wickets in hand, India will neutralise the spin threat of Pakistan. Two new batters v spinners then it'll be tough at the R Premadasa Stadium.

LHB v Usman, Nawaz should be the plan.
Abrar and Saim rely a lot on the deliveries that go away.

Preparation is the key. It's a tactical battle

[Deep Mandalia @Playl]

@drmbct Will train halt at Mahesana Railway station ?
@WesternRly

[Pankaj Singhal @AnyBodyCanFly]

Few basic Etiquettes

~ Never take the credit for the work you didn't do

~ Speak honestly. Say what you Think and Mean what you Say

~ Avoid placing your phone on the table while eating with someone

~ If you are not invited, don't ask to go

~ Never beg for a relationship. Connections and relationships happen with emotions, time, efforts and actions.

~ You attract gratitude only if you show gratitude

~ Give way first to people exiting...be it anybody

~ No need to respond to negativity. No response is actually a response.

[Deep Mandalia @Playl]

So good to see you back sir @AnyBodyCanFly ♥️🙏

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨💣 BREAKING: Benjamin Šeško to Manchester United, here we go! 🔴

Agreement club to club reached with RB Leipzig for €76.5m plus €8.5m add-ons.

Šeško agreed terms until 2030.

Šeško made clear on Tuesday that he wanted #MUFC, deal now reality.

New striker for Amorim 🇸🇮

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨🧨 The add-ons for Benjamin Šeško deal will be very easy to reach, as RB Leipzig wanted.

Manchester United will pay €76.5m fee plus €8.5m in very easy add-ons, bringing the package up to €85m almost guaranteed.

Šeško, ready to fly to Manchester. ✈️

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨💣 BREAKING: Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United, here we go!

Green light from Brentford and club to club agreement reached for £70m package, as @TheAthleticFC reports.

Contract agreed weeks ago with Mbeumo as he only wanted Man United move.

After Cunha, Mbeumo next for #MUFC.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨📑 Bryan Mbeumo’s fee will be £65m plus £6m add-ons paid in four different installments.

Brentford accepted payment structure proposed by Manchester United. 🤝🏻

[Pragyya Jain @PragyyaJain]

"Life hai bhidu kaam aate rehta hai jaate rehta hai, kaam karte rehne ka life mein aage badhte rehne ka, aaj kaam hai kal ni hai, subh uthe haath pair nai dukh rahe, bhagwaan ka shukar manane ka and phir aage badne ka"
Magical words of Jackie Shroff to his son Tiger Shroff ❤️