'This Love Doubles Our Responsibility': Hockey Captain Harmanpreet Singh On Warm Reception Received In India

Hundreds of fans lined up to garland and cheer for them as members of the Indian men's hockey team, including captain Harmanpreet Singh, touched down in the national capital on Saturday after fetching a second successive Olympic bronze medal in Paris. The Indian team extended its record overall Olympic medal haul in the sport to 13 with a 2-1 victory over Spain in the third place match in Paris. However, not all members of the winning team made their way back home as a few vital cogs remained in the French capital for the closing ceremony on Sunday.

Celebrated goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who retired at the end of India's campaign, is the joint flag-bearer for the ceremony along with double-medallist Manu Bhaker.

He remained in Paris along with Amit Rohidas, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Sanjay. This batch is slated to return after the closing ceremony.

Harmanpreet and team members were greeted with garlands and celebratory dhol as they made their way out of the arrivals at the Indira Gandhi International airport in the morning.

"We have received all the support, and all our requirements were fulfilled. I really want to thank... We are very happy and proud," Harmanpreet, who scored a brace in the medal match, told the media on his arrival.

"It is a big achievement for hockey. The love that is being showered upon hockey doubles our responsibility. We will also try that whenever we enter the field, we comeback with a medal," he added.

Harmanpreet said the warm welcome has left him quite overwhelmed.

"It is very heart-warming to see Indian fans come out to receive and congratulate us for the bronze medal. The team left no stone unturned to prepare for the Olympics and to see your efforts bear fruit, to see the