Missed chances again cost us the game: Sangakkara

Cuttack, April 23 (IANS) Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara blamed another bad fielding show for the five-wicket loss against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Barabati Stadium.

Deccan missed a few golden chances to put the Knight Riders batsmen under pressure as they slumped to their fifth consecutive loss and remained winless in the tournament here Sunday night.

"We got a great start, was a great platform. We should have got 150, but KKR fielded brilliantly. We can talk about another missed catch probably, but we bowled well, and made it difficult for Knight Riders," he said.

Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir praised batsman Manoj Tiwary for taking the team over the line on what could have been a nervy finish.

Gambhir said the pitch was a difficult to bat on as the ball kept low after rain had delayed the start of the match by an hour.

"The wicket was low, credit to Deccan for the way they bowled. It was a matter of applying themselves, and Manoj and the others did that."

Man of the Match Brett Lee, for taking a wicket and giving away only 15 runs in his four overs, said that the plan was to bowl a lot of slower balls.

"We summed the wicket up pretty well today. We tried to put the new ball up there to try and get the nicks, but then we took pace off it. Only four (overseas players) make it to the XI, a lot of guys miss out, that is the way it is," the Australian said.