Their come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Spain in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics was a testament to their resilience and determination.
The match was a tense affair, with Spain taking the lead through a penalty stroke conversion by captain Marc Miralles in the 18th minute.
However, India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh stepped up and scored a brace (30th, 33rd) to turn the tide in India’s favour. The final few minutes were nerve-wracking for the Indian contingent as they faced two short corners within the last minute, but their defense stood tall and absorbed the pressure, ensuring they secured the bronze medal.
India’s journey to the bronze medal was not without its challenges. They had to overcome a less-than-ideal build-up to the Games and the heartbreak of a narrow 2-3 defeat against Germany in the semifinals. However, their determination and never-say-die attitude propelled them to success.
The bronze medal was a long-awaited achievement for the Indian contingent in Paris, which had endured six fourth-place finishes and the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, adding to the emotional weight of their triumph.
The match itself was a rollercoaster ride, with both teams displaying their attacking prowess and defensive resilience. India started on the front foot, dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities in the first quarter. Spain responded in the second quarter, taking the lead through Miralles’ penalty stroke.
The second half saw India mount a spirited comeback, with Harmanpreet Singh’s brace turning the tide in their favour. The final quarter was a tense affair, with Spain throwing everything at India in search of an equalizer, but the Indian defence held firm.
The victory not only secured India’s second successive Olympic bronze medal but also marked a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who has been a stalwart of the Indian team for over a decade.
Prime minister Narendra Modi and president Droupadi Murmu both congratulated the Indian team on winning their successive bronze medal.
Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir praised the achievement, stating, “Hockey is an emotion.”
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also celebrated the victory by sharing a clip of India’s winning moment, captioning it, “Our Hockey Heroes!”
Former Indian cricketer and Team India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri hailed the side as “A team worthy of a Gold Medal”.