The Indian men’s cricket team head coach, Gautam Gambhir, along with former cricketer Virender Sehwag, extended their heartfelt congratulations to the Indian men’s hockey team for clinching their second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympics on Thursday. This remarkable achievement came as India triumphed over Spain with a 2-1 victory at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the Paris Olympics. Captain Harmanpreet Singh played a pivotal role in this success, scoring two crucial goals in the 30th and 33rd minutes, which ultimately secured India’s place on the podium.
This victory was especially significant as it marked a memorable conclusion to the illustrious career of legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. The 35-year-old stalwart played his final international hockey match, leaving the sport on a high note with back-to-back Olympic bronze medals. Sreejesh’s contributions to Indian hockey over the years have been nothing short of extraordinary, and his departure from the sport adds an emotional layer to this victory.
Gautam Gambhir, known for his passionate and patriotic demeanor, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his joy and admiration for the hockey team’s performance. In his post, he encapsulated the sentiments of millions of Indian sports fans, saying, “Hockey is an emotion” and saluting the team with a resounding “Jai Hind!” Gambhir also paid a special tribute to Sreejesh, calling it a “Perfect farewell to our champion #Shreejesh! Brilliant Bronze.”
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Virender Sehwag, Gambhir’s former batting partner and an iconic figure in Indian cricket, also shared his excitement on X. Sehwag praised the Indian team for their outstanding achievement, especially after a long gap of 52 years since the country last won successive medals in men’s hockey. India had previously secured bronze medals in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games. Sehwag wrote, “Brilliant effort from the boys to beat Spain and a second consecutive Olympic bronze for our boys. Congratulations @TheHockeyIndia.”
“Hockey is an emotion” जय हिन्द! 🇮🇳 Perfect farewell to our champion #Shreejesh! Brilliant Bronze 🥉 pic.twitter.com/ejDzVNEl6F
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 8, 2024
Brilliant effort from the boys to beat Spain and a second consecutive Olympic bronze for our boys. Congratulations @TheHockeyIndia . #ParisOlympics2024 pic.twitter.com/O66eymgNM7
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 8, 2024
Joining the chorus of well-wishers, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh added his voice to the celebrations, extending his congratulations to the team with a simple yet heartfelt message, “Mubarkaa @TheHockeyIndia well done Shero.” Harbhajan’s message reflected the pride and joy felt by millions of Indians who have followed the team’s journey with bated breath.
Mubarkaa @TheHockeyIndia well done Shero ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sKHvJXOKGW
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 8, 2024
Another legendary cricketer, former India head coach Anil Kumble, also took to X to laud the hockey team’s resilience and fighting spirit. Kumble, known for his analytical insights, praised the team’s ability to bounce back after trailing 0-1 in the first quarter. He specifically highlighted the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, saying, “Absolutely stunning play by the Indian Hockey team to fight back and get the game after trailing 1-0 in the first quarter! @13harmanpreet has led the team by example! Big congratulations @TheHockeyIndia on winning the bronze medal!”
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Kumble also took a moment to acknowledge Sreejesh’s extraordinary career, remarking on how fitting it was for him to retire on such a high note. He added, “Couldn’t have asked for a better way to draw curtains on a stellar career. Congratulations, @16Sreejesh, on winning the consecutive Olympic Bronze! Your contributions to Indian hockey have been nothing short of extraordinary. Your skill and commitment have inspired countless athletes. Happy retirement!”
Absolutely stunning play by the Indian Hockey team to fight back and get the game after trailing 1-0 in the first-quarter! @13harmanpreet has led the team by example! Big congratulations @TheHockeyIndia on winning the Bronze medal!#Olympics
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 8, 2024
Couldn’t have asked for a better way to draw curtains on a stellar career. Congratulations, @16Sreejesh, on winning the consecutive Olympic Bronze! Your contributions to Indian hockey have been nothing short of extraordinary. Your skill and commitment have inspired countless… pic.twitter.com/3l8RpkCiTt
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 8, 2024
Venkatesh Prasad, another former Indian cricketer, also joined the celebration by commending the Indian team’s performance. Prasad, known for his insightful commentary on cricket, couldn’t hold back his admiration for the hockey team’s efforts, stating, “Outstanding display by Team India and a much-deserved medal for our boys. @TheHockeyIndia.” His words echoed the sentiments of a nation proud of its athletes and their achievements on the world stage.
Outstanding display by Team India and a much deserved medal for our boys.@TheHockeyIndia #Paris2024Olympics pic.twitter.com/j4ydkxmGfF
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 8, 2024
This collective outpouring of praise from Indian cricket legends underscores the significance of this achievement, not just for hockey but for Indian sports as a whole. The team’s victory is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unyielding spirit, and it serves as an inspiration for future generations of athletes. The emotional farewell to PR Sreejesh adds a poignant touch to this victory, making it a moment that will be cherished in the annals of Indian sports history.
