India, Feb. 6 -- This was a fitting finale to the occasion. The only two unbeaten teams in the competition, going toe-to-toe with their sights firmly trained on the pot of gold at the end of the vibrant rainbow.

India had won all seven of their matches leading into the title round, only the lack of attention to detail denying them a perfect record after their first-round game against Canada in Lauderhill was abandoned due to an inept outfield, even though it hadn't rained for 48 hours preceding the game.

South Africa boasted an all-win record from their eight fixtures. Where the spotlight had been trained on Rohit Sharma's men, the Proteas quietly wended their way through the draw, almost unnoticed, despite their nine-wicket drubbing of...