India, Nov. 3 -- When Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India's women's cricket team, ended South Africa's innings at the Women's World Cup final - jump timed perfectly, ball stopped mid-flight as it zipped past her shoulder - she set off, tearing across the outfield with her arms spread wide. All by herself, a girl in blue against an expanse of green. All by herself yet sweeping the world up in her joyous, triumphal run. All by herself, but the one for all.

It was a stirring performance by the Indian side in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night. The players detached themselves from the emotional upheaval after their high-octane, semi-final against Australia and did what needed to be done.

Think of Amanjot Kaur's nervy catch off Laura Wolvaardt as In...