It’s only after I retired that I realised it’s more nerve-wracking to watch your team play than to actually play. I am feeling very nervous as Sri Lanka takes on India in the final. Everyone had predicted that these were the two favourites for the trophy but, now that that game is upon us, keeping one’s emotions in check is hard and doing a dispassionate analysis is almost impossible.

The road to the final has been dramatically different for both sides. Sri Lanka had the easier draw and their big game against Australia, was a washout. This was followed by the fact that they got relatively easier teams than India in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. In their defence, they have been playing such dominating cricket that even a potentially dangerous opposition like England was made to look very ordinary in the quarter-finals.

Sri Lanka’s biggest strength is their balance. Their batting has an impressive look to it with the top four, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene all playing superbly well. The captain has contributed in every game and has been calm and authoritative on the field. His work behind the stumps has also been to his usual high standards.

However, it is this fact that makes me nervous about the batting thereafter. Right from my first article, I have been fretting over the fact that Mahela needs to come lower down the order to give that part of the line-up some solidity. On Saturday, with Angelo Mathews being a doubtful starter, this move becomes even more advisable.

The bowling has been effective but now the spinners come up against a side that plays spin well. In fact, this makes Lasith Malinga’s the opening spell really critical. If he can get some early breakthroughs, it might spread panic down the Indian ranks. The question mark over Muttiah Muralitharan is also a worry but, knowing him, he will play even if he is 50 per cent fit. For India, their biggest strength is that they are peaking at the right time. All their bowlers are looking in rhythm and this was not the case in the first few games. The other impressive improvement has been in the fielding. The inclusion of Suresh Raina has lifted the fielding effort of the side and made them look really very impressive. His inclusion has also strengthened their lower middle-order, and Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Raina give it plenty of solidity.

Now it all depends on how the Indians handle the pressure of this dramatic occasion - a final, Sachin Tendulkar’s last World Cup appearance, the possibility of a 100th century and of course the chance to lift a World Cup. India managed to keep the pressure at bay during the Pakistan game, and if they are relaxed on Saturday they will be a really dangerous side to beat.

In big ticket events like this, the top-order has to ensure that they absorb maximum pressure. Dilshan and Virender Sehwag are the two guys who will need to stand up and do this job for their side. I expect either of these guys to make a difference to their side’s fortunes, and their form might be a game-changing factor. My heart says Sri Lanka, but my head says it’s too close to call. — Gameplan