Genius versus legend

It's the batsman who has made more runs than anyone against the bowler who has taken more wickets than anyone … If only because he has about a billion people barracking for him as against Sri Lanka's 20 million … Tendulkar is under significantly more pressure.

The stage is set for a triumph of a magnitude that even his [Tendulkar’s] adoring scriptwriters could not have imagined. He has the opportunity to score his 100th international century in the World Cup final in his home town, Mumbai, in the month of his 38th birthday against the world's greatest bowler. Wherever he is, even Don Bradman will take his hat off if that happens.

India and Sri Lanka have much in common, a reliance on spin, a captain who also keeps wicket, a population devoted to the game and a great player approaching the end of his career … If everything falls into place, the visitors are quite capable of causing an upset. They'd deserve it because they play with an abundance of spirit and regularly take the bold path … But it's hard to avoid feeling that it is going to be India's day. Dhoni has the more powerful line-up at his disposal, and fewer headaches … Whatever the result, it will produce a worthy winner.