Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara feels that the two missed chances of Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag cost his side the match.
En route to his match-winning 56-ball 119, Sehwag was dropped twice -- first by Ankit Sharma and then by Dwarka Ravi Teja -- that helped Delhi chase down a stiff target of 175 runs with four-wickets in hand last night.
"I don't think it is anything to do with luck. We had two opportunities to get Viru (Sehwag), had we held those catches, we would have won. It is getting to a point that is costing us games," a livid Sangakkara vented his feelings at the post-match press conference.
"If you miss those catches, a batsman of Sehwag's class will make you pay. If you don't hold on to the chances that you create, especially when that is the wicket you need, it is tough to win games." However the Deccan skipper did not want to take any credit away from Sehwag's brilliant innings.
"It was a fantastic innings by Sehwag, he paced himself really well. When the ball was moving in the first six overs, he watched the ball and did not do anything extra. But when he got the opportunity, he made us pay," Sangakkara said.
Sangakkara also defended his decision to drop Pragyan Ojha. "I don't think so. It is the catches that cost us, not the bowlers. If we have turned that around, we would have won quite easily. If you see the changes that we made, Delhi also dropped a bowler. Bowling is not the problem. But it is Viru who batted really well and made bowlers feel the pressure," he said. Sangakkara also rubbished theories that the Uppal Stadium is turning out into a jinxed ground for Deccan. "Jinx is a state of mind. When the crucial times come, it is the responsibility of the team to take the games and turn it around.
{{/usCountry}}Sangakkara also defended his decision to drop Pragyan Ojha. "I don't think so. It is the catches that cost us, not the bowlers. If we have turned that around, we would have won quite easily. If you see the changes that we made, Delhi also dropped a bowler. Bowling is not the problem. But it is Viru who batted really well and made bowlers feel the pressure," he said. Sangakkara also rubbished theories that the Uppal Stadium is turning out into a jinxed ground for Deccan. "Jinx is a state of mind. When the crucial times come, it is the responsibility of the team to take the games and turn it around.
{{/usCountry}}Pressure is a constant factor in this format. You cannot play any professional sport without pressure. "You have to learn and be mentally strong to try and meet those situations and raise your game," said the Sri Lankan, who will join the national team after leading Deccan in another three games.