Right after the players boarded the Air India flight and settled on to their seats, the Flight captain announced their presence in the plane and said,"Congratulations to the team and it is a pleasure to have you on board with us."
Soon after the passengers clapped and cheered as one of the players walked across the aisle on the flight with the trophy.
The entire 1 minute 48 seconds episode has been recorded in a video that has gone viral on social media. Soon after the tweeple start posted congratulatory messages for the team besides appreciating Air India for their gesture.
Taking to Twitter Union Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote, "The Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team were travelling onboard Air India from Melbourne to Delhi, after winning GOLD, in the Tri-Nation series against Australia & New Zealand. The Captain of the flight made a special announcement to Congratulate these victorious girls."
One user wrote, "Congratulations to these victorious girls of The Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team for winning GOLD in the Tri-Nation series against Australia & New Zealand."
A tweeple remarked, "Appreciate the patriotic Captain. What a noble gesture. Our hockey also deserves the appreciation."
"That's very emotional moment. Any one recognising in public high in the air", added another.
Despite suffering their first loss of the tournament, the Indian team won the competition by finishing top of the points table with a tally of seven points from four matches, ahead of hosts Australia on goal difference, with New Zealand finishing third with only three points from their four matches.
( With inputs from IANS )