If you do the right things, you need less luck: Sangakkara

Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara today conceded that it was not just bad luck but their complete failure to click as a team that has been their undoing in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

The Chargers lost their last game against Delhi Daredevils in Hyderabad despite posting a total of 187.

"Its not only about luck, if you do the right things, you need less luck than you would if you are not doing that well."

The Sri Lankan, whose team is placed at the bottom having won just two games from their thirteen outings so far, believed luck favours those who put in extra work.

"Luck is something, I think, the harder you work, the better you do... (then) luck works for you. Sometimes luck can be an excuse, but that's not something we are looking at for what could have gone wrong for us," said Sangakkara on the eve of his team's clash with Kings XI Punjab at PCA stadium here tomorrow.

Punjab have won six from their twelve matches so far and find themselves in a must-win situation.

Asked what went wrong for them in the tournament, the 34-year-old Sangakkara, a veteran of 325 ODIs and 108 Tests, said the team got good totals on the board, "but kept falling short in one department or the other. That's not a pleasant thing. As I have said before, it is important to keep focus and keep winning."

On the lessons drawn from this year's IPL, he said, "we learnt quite a few lessons, especially about our fielding and our catching, which has let us down at big moments... it's also about making sure we are up to the mark and focused in tight situations."

"In T20 cricket, its not easy, a lot of sides have lost close games in the last over or two. I think we have been found wanting in those situations. Tomorrow is another opportunity for us to show that if we do get a situation of strength, we can capitalise."

Sangakkara, whose has led the Kings XI in the previous edition, said KXIP have played some very good cricket.

"They are a good solid side, with good all-round abilities and we know what they are capable of. It's not going to be an easy game against the Kings, they showed this when they played against us at Hyderabad. So, we will really have to be on top our game tomorrow."

Sangakkara also said that his side would like to test his bench strength in the remaining three games.

Meanwhile, KXIP's regular captain Adam Gilchrist, who would again not feature in tomorrow's game due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier, said it was nice to be in contention.

Asked what would be the team strategy in the remaining must-win four games, he reacted with a bit of surprise, saying "Is it (do we have to win all the four).

"Who knows whether nine wins or ten wins (in all) is going to be required (in the end to reach the play-offs). But it would be nice not to rely on other games. It's business end of the tournament."

KXIP face Delhi Daredevils in two games and Chennai Super Kings in their remaining games, besides the Chargers.

Asked if the must-win scenario puts any kind of extra pressure on the players, the Aussie veteran said, "I don't think so. I think you play with same intensity and intention throughout the tournament because if you let one slip early you can't just guarantee that you can make up later."

Gilchrist is not too worried about the poor home record of his team this season, with a solitary win from five matches played here.

"I think I am reasonably accurate in saying that a number of teams have similar record in home and away. I think it's the nature of T20, a fine line between success and the loss. I don't harbour any doubts about our playing here. It's just a fresh start, no matter where the venue is.

"Certainly don't see any issue with the wicket here in relation with our team balance or the style of cricket we play. In a couple of home games, we played well enough one and some slips in the end cost us a couple of games," he added.