You made us proud! Narendra Modi, Virender Sehwag among Twitterati to congratulate Indian hockey team

New Delhi: From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eminent sports personalities, the country was wholesome in its praise for the Indian hockey team’s gutsy effort that saw it clinch a historic silver medal in the Champions Trophy in London.

The Indian team settled for a silver medal in its best ever performance in the prestigious tournament after going down fighting 1-3 to world champions Australia in a controversy-marred summit clash penalty shootout late last night.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Indian hockey team for their spirited display in the Champions trophy final through his Twitter handle

Congrats to our Hockey Team for a spirited performance in Champions Trophy finals. Their effort has been brilliant. We're proud of the team.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2016

Only Harmanpreet Singh was able to score in the shootout, while SK Uthappa, SV Sunil and Surender Kumar all hit wide off the target. Just four attempts were required from the two teams as Australia had gained a winning 3-1 lead.

Indian cricket greats Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman also lauded the team’s performance.

Great effort by @TheHockeyIndia ,went right down to the wire.Lost a great final in Penalty Shootout but won our hearts.
#HCT2016 #IndvsAus

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 17, 2016

Congratulations 2 Indian Hockey team on a well fought finals & a fantastic #HCT2016 👏 All the best for the future matches👍 @TheHockeyIndia

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 18, 2016

Olympic silver-medallist shooter and union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said, “Fighting performance by Hockey Team India in Champions Trophy. Deserves applause. Congrats for bringing glory to India.”

Fighting performance by Hockey Team India in Champions Trophy. Deserves applause. Congrats for bringing glory to India.

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 18, 2016

Ace shuttler Parupalli Kashyap and shooter Joydeep Karmakar expressed their happiness over the team’s performance.

Hard luck guys! Super show! @TheHockeyIndia @raghuhock @16Sreejesh #RoadToRio #HCT2016 #silvermedal

— Kashyap Parupalli (@parupallik) June 17, 2016

Great effort! A silver it is..a silver lining till it is turned to gold in Rio. Take a bow @16Sreejesh #HCT2016

— Joydeep Karmakar OLY (@Joydeep709) June 17, 2016

The hockey fraternity too was delighted with the historic result.

Regular skipper Sardar Singh expressed his delight at his team’s effort and vowed to carry on

Great effort! A silver it is..a silver lining till it is turned to gold in Rio. Take a bow @16Sreejesh #HCT2016

— Joydeep Karmakar OLY (@Joydeep709) June 17, 2016

Former captain Viren Rasquinha, who is now involved with non profit organisation Olympic Gold Quest, said, “Woke up feeling very proud of our hockey team. Well done.

Woke up feeling very proud of our hockey team. Well done @TheHockeyIndia @16Sreejesh @raghuhock @manpreetpawar07 @SVSunil24 @OltmansOltmans

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) June 18, 2016

Coach Roelant Oltmans was also satisfied with the result.

What a great day in London.
Unfortunately we lost the Finals on shoot-outs but we won confidence on our way to Rio. Congratulations Aussies.

— Roelant Oltmans (@OltmansOltmans) June 18, 2016

Rupinder Pal Singh and PR Shreejesh also joined in on Twitter.

Feel proud for your efforts boys! You all played your hearts out today! 💪 #BestOfTheBest #HCT2016 @TheHockeyIndia

— Rupinder Pal Singg (@rupinderbob3) June 17, 2016

We lost the match ..But .. We won millions of heart ..Be proud boys #silver #HCT2016 #BestOfTheBest @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/EF2hccI28t

— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) June 18, 2016

Hockey India was not left behind and said, “A very big congratulations to the @Kookaburras on winning their 14th Men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016!

Massive congratulations to Team India for clinching the Silver Medal at the Hero #HCT2016!#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/x3LtImOWOl

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) June 18, 2016

With inputs from PTI