The bronze medallists are back home and so far as his teammates are concerned, the just-retired “legend” PR Sreejesh will inspire the next generation of hockey players in the country.

Eight-time Olympic champions India returned from Paris on Saturday, after winning their second successive bronze medal at the Games.

Forward Lalit Upadhyay, speaking at a felicitation ceremony in the national capital, thanked the nation for their support and veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh for the standards he has set.

The bronze medal-winning India hockey team pose for photographs on arrival in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

“Sreejesh is the best person, a legend, and India calls him the ‘Great Wall’, amazing, that is all I can say. He played his best hockey and he has contributed to the country by playing hockey, and the standard he has set as a goalkeeper, it will inspire the next generation,” he said.

“I would like to thank the entire country because of the overwhelming support you have given to hockey, like the last time but even more so now. Hockey is still in the hearts of people, they continue to love the sport and continue to support.”

India, who last won a hockey gold in 1980, beat Spain 2-1 in this edition’s bronze playoff on Thursday. In Tokyo three years ago, the team had snapped their 41-year medal drought in the sport.

Lalit was also full of praise for inspirational skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals to emerge as the highest scorer of the tournament.

India captain Harmanpreet Singh pays tribute before the statue of three-time Olympic hockey gold medallist Dhyan Chand at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

“The country has given him (Harmanpreet) a new nickname (sarpanch). I am glad that the country, the ones who love hockey, gave him this nickname. As a great captain, he has shown his character and to be the top scorer of the Olympics is a big achievement. He is a legend, there is much more to do now, and our vision is that we move forward and we can change the colour of the medal and achieve our dream.”

Lalit recollected the fighting spirit shown by the side against Great Britain in the quarter-final when they were down to 10 men for more than 40 minutes but eventually came out on top.

Vivek Prasad and Lalit Upadhyay exit the airport. PTI

“I would like to thank the coaching staff and all the players, we played like a cohesive unit and showed the character of the team, we had to give it our all, because in that moment we had no option to back down. That was the match and I cannot say more,” he said.

Defender Jarmanpreet Singh wished Sreejesh luck following his retirement.

“I do not need to say anything about Sreejesh, the entire country praises him and has seen him play. I had a lot of fun playing hockey with him, and I wish Sreejesh continues to do good work for hockey,” he said.

Hanpreet Singh with his family after arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Lin New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

Also happy with his own performance, Jarmanpreet, for whom Paris was his maiden Olympics, said: “I enjoyed myself... this was my first Olympics, and my target was to perform well for my team and the country.”