The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will have its final game played between two Asian heavy weights, India and Sri Lanka, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, April 2. The game will also have many firsts. This is the first All Asian final in the history of the tournament and this is also the first time that the main host of the tournament has qualified for the final.
It is a final between two teams, who many predicted would reach the final and who truly deserve a place in the final. Sri Lanka have looked absolutely majestic in the two knock out games, chasing in both the games with absolute conviction. India, have been tested more when compared to the Lankans, and have managed to hold their nerves superbly on both the occasions. 
One thing that will be present during this game is an air of familiarity. The two teams have played against each other umpteen times over the past couple of years and should know each other like the back of their hands. However, even without that familiarity, it would have been easy to predict their strategies.
Sri Lanka are likely to go with the same team that they played in the last two games, especially if the track would slow down as the game progresses. However, they have been put on a back foot following the injuries to Muttiah Muralidharana and Angelo Matthews. The extent of their injuries has forced Sri Lanka to look for cover, in Chaminda Vaas and Suraj Randiv. But it is unlikely to see either of them missing this game. This is Murali’s last game for Sri Lanka and he wouldn’t want to miss that for anything while Matthews’ absence will destruct the balance of the side as Sri Lanka lack a fast bowling all rounder to replace him.
The pressure would be on India, playing at home. However, the pressure of this game will pale in comparison to the pressure during their semi final game against Pakistan. That is what was maintained by MS Dhoni, who said that the team would be better accustomed to handle the pressure of this game after having played very well in the semi final.
The team would be having extra motivation to win it for Sachin Tendulkar, who will be playing the final in front of his home crowd. This could very well be his last game in ODIs, irrespective of the result of this game. Ashish Nehra could miss the game after injuring his right hand, and Ravichandran Ashwin should get his place back. India will also be fretting over the hamstring injury to Gautam Gambhir.
Despite their dream runs, both the teams have deficiencies that they would want to take care ahead of the final. India’s formidable batting line up almost crumbled in the semi final, and needed a composed innings from Suresh Raina to hold it together and get to a fighting total. And for all the runs the top four have made, Sri Lanka’s middle order looks weak and wouldn’t want to be tested early in this game.
The final will be officiated by Aleem Dar and Simon Taufel, who had one of the best games by an umpire in the semi final. The game is likely to be a very close one and should be a fitting end to a very interesting tournament that had everything from upsets, to high scoring ties and has brought back some glory for the ODI format.