Two dropped catches cost us match: Sangakkara

Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara feels that the two catches dropped by Ankit Sharma and Dwarka Ravi Teja cost them the match.

"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 wicket you need, it is tough to win the games."

However the DC skipper didn't want 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 defended the 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."

Sangakkara also rubbished theories that the Uppal Stadium is turning out into a jinxed ground. "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. 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 skipper who will join the national team after playing another three games.