Celebrities root for Indian hockey team on Twitter

New Delhi: The usual wailing that hockey's is a dwindling following sounded a hoax as Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, IPL mastermind Lalit Modi, tennis ace Sania Mirza and sharpshooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore swarmed the Twitter to cheer India ahead of their World Cup opener against Pakistan on Sunday.

Shah Rukh, who played a hockey coach making an inspiring speech to spur his wards in the much-acclaimed movie "Chak De! India", had a word of encouragement for the Rajpal Singhs and Sandeep Singhs as well.

"(Indian) hockey team looks good. They will truly rock. Aggression and skill are the key. India has it in abundance this time round. Chak de India," Shah Rukh wrote on his Twitter page.

In Hyderabad, tennis ace Sania was also putting aside everything to sit in front of television and watch the match.

"Hi folks, getting ready to watch India vs Pakistan in the opening match of the World Cup hockey. Jai Hind," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Indian Premier League commissioner Modi proved his interest goes beyond just minting money out of cricket's Twenty20 format.

"World Cup Hockey in India has got off to a great start. Wish our team all the best," Modi said in one of his earlier posts.

"I am looking forward to seeing India-Pakistan hockey. All of you should watch and support hockey. It's our national pride," Modi appealed to all.

"Chak De India. Nothing else will come in the way. We will be glued to our TV tonight with the kids and family," said the man who has filled BCCI coffers with IPL money.

Once Shivendra Singh had scored the first goal, an elated Modi wrote, "What a goal! Chak De India all the way."

And when Sandeep scored the second, Modi wrote, "Wow 2-0. We have the edge now."

Elsewhere, Olympic medallist shooter Rathore actually took the pain to be part of the crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to root for the team and tweet simultaneously.

"At the hockey stadium for the Hockey World Cup 2010. The atmosphere is electric," he said.

"It was worth hearing the Indian national anthem being sung by thousands," Rathore tweeted.

Star cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who just returned from Australia, also sent his wishes for the hockey team.

"Wishing best of luck to Indian hockey team for match against Pakistan," he wrote.