RECENT FORM

SRI LANKA

The Sri Lankans are on a roll here by winning all of their four league matches conviningly, coming in to the final before comprehensively beating India in a dress rehearsal for final on Friday.

INDIA

The Indians, came here as the favourites after beating world champions Australia and South Africa on their way to the final of the ICC tournament in Kenya, have been a victim of inconsistency. They were twice destroyed by Sri Lanka in the league and only earned two hard fought wins over Zimbabwe to secure a place in the final.

HEAD TO HEAD

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka's outstanding performance in the tournament so far has been breathtaking and have been unbeaten so far in the tournament. Significantly, Sri Lanka have beaten India in all their three encounters this year.

INDIA

India were beaten twice by Sri Lanka in the league matches.

TEAM NEWS

SRI LANKA

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya is leading from the front with Jayawardena and Atapattu both stroking stunning centuries in the previous outing.

Off-spinner Muthiah Murllitharan came out with flying colours returning with a magnificent 7 for 30, the best figures ever in one-day cricket.

INDIA

Sachin Tendulkar's 26th one-day century last week and a smashing 61 off 54 balls on Friday went in vain as the rest of the team caved in against the Sri Lankans. Skipper, Ganguly scored back-to-back hundreds in Kenya, has had only one half-century in the tournament. Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble are injured giving a big blow to the Indians.

SQUAD

SRI LANKA

Sanath Jayasuriya (Captain), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muthiah Murlitharan, Kaushalya Weeraratne.

INDIA

Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Yuvraj Singh, Hemang Badani, Robin Singh, Vijay Dahiya, Ajit Agarkar, Sunil Joshi, Zaheer Khan, Venkatesh Prasad.

UMPIRES

George Sharp [England] and Daryl Harper [Australia].

MATCH REFREE

Denis Lindsay [South Africa].

UAECRICKET.COM PREDICTION

India need to produce a miraculous turn of fortunes to surprise Sri Lanka and overcome their irresistable form. Sri Lanka are firm favourites to lift the Cup but everything depends on how a team performs on the big day.