The clash of the two South Asian neighbours will kick off at 2.45 pm with Bangladesh Television and ESPN-STAR Sports beaming live coverage from R Premadasa Stadium.

Four-time champions India will be looking to avenge their 1997 final defeat to Sri Lanka here and more importantly win their first final in seven years. But the Lankans have never lost an Asia Cup final on home soil.

However, it could be anybody's game as the toss is expected to play a vital role. Teams batting first have won 25 times out of 39 occasions at the ground where big totals are difficult to chase under lights.

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, however, thinks otherwise.

"I don't think it (toss) will be important, because wickets for finals are normally prepared with more attention and care. There have been a couple of days' break after Pakistan's game so they must have done a good job already," Ganguly told reporters before the team's final practice session.

India will be buoyed by the return of stylish right-hander VVS Laxman.

Both finalists have already produced two tight finishes in the tournament with Sri Lanka winning the first game by 12 runs at Dambula and India making it all-square at the Premadasa with a thrilling five-run victory.

"I expect the final like the other two games will be a close contest. The side that makes fewer mistakes will win it," believed Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu.

The home side, well tuned after their tour of Australia, will have an edge as they have been playing well in the tournament. Champion batsman Sanath Jayasuriya is back to his vintage best with already two centuries under his belt. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas are also expected to play in the final after missing the last meeting between the two teams.