Virat Kohli, Narendra Modi lead celebration of Indian hockey team's historic silver medal

Social media platforms were abuzz with congratulatory messages on Saturday after the Indian hockey team managed to win a historic silver medal at the FIH men's Champions Trophy final against Australia in London.

India fought hard, but were ultimately pipped by reigning world champions Australia 1-3 via penalty shoot-out and had to settle for the silver medal.

The gutsy Indians held Australia goalless in 60 minutes of regulation period and forced th game into a penalty shootout to decide the eventual winners.

The India team walks round the pitch after lodging a protest concerning the penalty shoot out during the 1st and 2nd place match between Australia and India at the FIH Men's Champions Trophy at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, on Friday. Pic/AP/PTI

Several celebrities including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India Test skipper Virat Kohli led the nation in congratulating the team for achieving that unique feat.

"Congrats to our hockey team for a spirited performance in Champions Trophy finals. Their effort has been brilliant.
We're proud of the team," Modi tweeted.

Indian hockey team regular skipper Sardar Singh, who was rested from the squad, said, "Great effort by our team in
the finals of Champions Trophy and congrats for silver medal. We will continue to work hard to make our country
proud."

Former Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha said, "The Indian team can stand tall with their heads held high. Proud of the boys. You played your hearts out. Woke up feeling very proud of our hockey team. Well done."

India Test team captain Virat Kohli tweeted his wishes for the Indian hockey team. he posted, "Proud of Indian hockey team. Congratulations on the silver medal in Champions Trophy. It was a brilliant game. All the best for Rio 2016."

Former India cricketers V.V.S. Laxman and Virender Sehwag also joined in the chorus to congratulate the team.

"Congratulations to Indian hockey team on a well fought finals and a fantastic Champions Trophy!! All the best for the future matches," Laxman tweeted.

"Great effort by Indian hockey team, went right down to the wire. Lost a great final in Penalty Shootout but won our
hearts," Sehwag posted.

Star shuttler Parupalli Kashyap also tweeted, "Hard luck guys! Super show!"

It was India's best performance in the history of the tournament. India's previous best performance in the Champions Trophy was a bronze medal in 1982.

Here are some of the congratulatory tweets