The defining image of the recent women's ODI cricket world cup final between India and South Africa was the juggling catch that Amanjot Kaur took to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt, the South African captain. This was a crucial moment in ensuring a win for India, making them world champions for the first time, and on home soil!
In the earlier semifinal, Amanjot had joined the star batter Jemimah Rodrigues to see India home in a thrilling run-chase against Australia, and scored the winning runs herself!
There is a charming background history to this. Amanjot came from a poor family who couldn't afford to buy her a cricket bat, so her father, who was a carpenter, made her one himself! Furthermore, he had to face down the disapproval of his more traditionally-minded neighbours, who thought his little girl shouldn't be playing cricket with boys. But now he can feel that all his efforts were justified, as his little girl has become a national treasure and he has been featured as a hero on Indian media, pictured with tears of joy in his eyes. Isn't that a heartwarming story?
Postscript: The victorious Indian women were richly rewarded by their state governments. I have no idea exactly what the "11 lakhs of rupees" paid to each of them is worth, but it sounds like a vast amout of money!
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