The hockey midfielder for India, who was recently a team member that won the historic bronze medal at the Olympics in Paris earlier this summer, disclosed an incident that the national team experienced upon arriving at the airport. The players were overlooked in favor of internet sensation Dolly Chaiwala, described as "shocking" and "shameful".

With a 2-1 win against Spain in the third-place face-off at the Paris 2024 Olympics last month, India clinched the bronze medal in men's hockey. It achieved back-to-back Olympic podium places for the first time since 1972, having earlier finished third in Tokyo three years back. After the remarkable accomplishment, last week's 1-0 victory over China in the Asian Champions trophy final secured the team's fifth trophy.

Fans at the airport were surprisingly uninterested in the hockey players despite their recent triumph, preferring to snap selfies with Dolly Chaiwala, who gained notoriety after a video of him delivering tea to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went viral.

The 26-year-old emphasized how players' spirits are often raised to a great extent by recognition from supporters. "Fame and wealth are one thing for an athlete. For an athlete, though, there's no greater feeling of fulfillment than having your fans watch and appreciate you," Hardik continued.

The Indian hockey team's next game is scheduled for the second part of October at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, where the country will welcome Germany for a much-awaited two-match bilateral series. The last time India and Germany met each other was in the Olympic semifinals in Paris, where the European powerhouses prevailed 3-2.