With the World Cup final barely hours away, here's a look at the key clashes expected when Asian giants Sri Lanka and India meet.

Lasith Malinga vs Virender Sehwag

Malinga (11 wickets/economy rate 5.74) will get an opening burst against Sehwag (380 runs/54.28 average) and Sachin Tendulkar (464/58.00), although in the semi-final against New Zealand it lasted only six balls.

- World Cup 2011

He is the fastest bowler on either side by some margin although his real danger to the Indian batting will come later in the innings where his vicious, inswinging yorkers can defeat any batsman however well set.

On his day, Sehwag can take the game away from the opposition as he did against Bangladesh and threatened to do against Pakistan in the semi-finals.

Muttiah Muralitharan vs Yuvraj Singh

Muralitharan (15/4.00) will drive his failing body through one last 10-over stint in the international game before he retires with the most wickets in test and one-day cricket.

If his deliveries lack the snap and fizz of his vintage days, the mind is still as sharp as ever and the will as strong.

Left-hander Yuvraj (341/85.25) is the key man in the Indian middle order, although he was dismissed first ball against Pakistan, and has won four man-of-the-match awards for his all-round ability.

Zaheer Khan vs Tillakaratne Dilshan

Zaheer (19/4.67) is a master of his craft with the new ball and the old. He can swing and cut the new ball and reverse swing the old while possessing an infinite number of pace variations.

Dilshan (467/66.71) is in wonderful form and tops the tournament's batting aggregates. He has the enviable Sri Lankan knack of finding the boundary without exerting undue effort.

Harbhajan Singh vs Kumar Sangakkara

Harbhajan (8/4.41) was back to his best against Pakistan when he dismissed Pakistan's two most dangerous strikers Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi. He remains the fulcrum of India's spin attack.

Sangkakkara (417/104.25) is a master craftsman who keeps the scoreboard ticking over when the bowlers are on top and accelerates without apparent effort when the time is ripe.