'Hope Jasprit Bumrah teaches me some bowling skills': Neeraj Chopra gears up for NC Classic
India's Neeraj Chopra (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)
India's double Olympic medallist
Neeraj Chopra
is gearing up for the much-anticipated NC Classic, but ahead of the event, he took a break from training for a candid chat with official broadcasters JioStar, offering a fun mix of insights, reflections, and even a few cheeky predictions.
In a light-hearted moment, Neeraj revealed which cricketer he believes could've excelled in his sport: 'I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years.'
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Lee, known for his blistering pace during his cricketing career, apparently has a javelin past — something Neeraj found intriguing.
But that wasn't his only cricket-javelin crossover. India's pace ace Jasprit Bumrah was also on Neeraj's wishlist.
'I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too, and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.'
Asked whose superpower he'd want to borrow for the perfect javelin throw, Neeraj didn't hesitate: 'Sachin Tendulkar.
He represented our country so well for so many years. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally — I would want that superpower. It would help me handle challenges with a calm mindset.'
Despite being at the top of his game, Neeraj steers clear of superstition on event day, adding, 'I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.'
As for the best piece of advice he's received? That came from his coach, Jan Železný, the world record holder in javelin.
'He tells me to run in a flow — like an 18-year-old without tension. That it shouldn't feel tight. I'm learning the importance of flow. Like Roger Federer — it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training.'
Shubman Gill's captaincy debut wins praise: Gambhir, Kotak & Jaiswal react!
Closing out the conversation, Neeraj found a fitting cricketing comparison for javelin technique: 'The Helicopter Shot by MS Dhoni.'
With the Neeraj Chopra Classic around the corner, fans can expect more than just record-breaking throws — perhaps even a few friendly crossover challenges with cricket's best.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
7 minutes ago
- The Print
Indian pacers use two-coloured ball to shed ‘filthy' IPL habits; Moeen visits England nets
It is common practice to use multi coloured balls and to be specific, the Indian pacers have been using them since the start of the English summer. Jasprit Bumrah was seen holding a red and white ball at the start of the session and so were the other members of the Indian pace battery. Birmingham, Jun 30 (PTI) The Indian pace attack, practising with two-coloured balls to shed the 'filthy' habits of white-ball cricket, drew plenty of attention at the penultimate net session ahead of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. One reason for it is that the fast bowlers arrived in England after a lengthy white-ball stint, including the Champions Trophy and the subsequent Indian Premier League. India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said training with the two-coloured balls helps in eliminating white ball tendencies from the red ball game. 'It's not a new thing. All the ball manufacturers make those balls. We talk about detoxing the bowlers, just getting the very basics right. And that's the easiest way to give you an indication. Guys have come out of a long IPL season and the filthy habits of that cricket. 'We don't want that creeping into Test cricket. So Morne (Morkel) and the bowlers just use that tool just to make sure the basic fundamentals are in place. We've been using it for the last two weeks,' said Doeschate. Home hero Moeen Ali checks in at England training =============================== Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali made a surprise visit to the host's net session at his home ground here on Monday. England are banking on Ali's knowledge of Edgbaston where the pitch is expected to be full of runs and aid spinners day three onwards. Head coach Brendon McCullum and spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel were seen having a long conversation with Ali. Sources told PTI that Ali was at the venue only for the day and is not getting into a long term coaching role with the team. Having retired from the highest level, Ali plies his trade in T20 leagues around the world and was also part of IPL 2025. England captain Ben Stokes had forced Ali to reverse his Test retirement for an Ashes comeback couple of years ago. On Monday, he was there was for his former captain once again. PTI BS APA APA This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
Neeraj Chopra Classic: Kishore Jena Out Due To Ankle Injury; Replacement Named
Last Updated: Kishore Jena, Asian Games silver medallist, is out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury. Yash Vir Singh replaces him. India's highly anticipated Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 will miss one of its star attractions, as Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Jena has been ruled out due to an ankle injury. This setback, confirmed just days before the event, has led the organisers to replace Jena with Yash Vir Singh in the elite javelin lineup for the competition scheduled for July 5. Jena, who achieved a personal best of 87.54m to secure silver behind Neeraj Chopra at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, was expected to be a strong contender against the world's best at this landmark event. His absence is a disappointment not only for Indian fans but also for a meet designed to showcase the finest javelin talent on Indian soil. Yash Vir Singh, ranked 41st in the world, steps in with his own credentials, having recorded a personal best of 82.57m at the 2025 Asian Championships in Gumi, Korea. He joins compatriots Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, and Sahil Silwal in the Indian contingent. What Is Neeraj Chopra Classic? The Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, India's first international javelin competition, is a collaboration between Neeraj himself, JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics (WA). The event promises to be the highest-tier international athletics meet ever staged in India. Leading the star-studded field will be Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion and reigning world titleholder. Joining him are global heavyweights such as Anderson Peters (Grenada), two-time world champion Thomas Rohler (Germany), and Rio 2016 gold medallist Julius Yego (Kenya). Originally scheduled for May 24, the event was postponed due to security concerns and will now take place on July 5 at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Expectations remain high as the stage is set for a historic evening of javelin excellence on Indian soil. Neeraj Chopra has prepared for the event named after him by winning his first Diamond League leg in two years. Earlier in the season, he surpassed the 90m mark for the first time in Doha, finishing second. Recently, he won the Ostrava Golden Spike meet with a throw of 85.29m. (With inputs from IANS) First Published: June 30, 2025, 23:19 IST
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
Neeraj Chopra Classic: India star pulls out of inaugural edition due to ankle injury
Indian javelin hero Kishore Jena has pulled out of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic due to ankle injury. India's first-ever international javelin competition, originally slated for May 24, was postponed due to military tensions between India and Pakistan. read more Kishore Jena has pulled out of Neeraj Chopra Classic due to ankle injury. Image: Reuters Bengaluru: Struggling with an ankle injury, Kishore Jena has pulled out of Saturday's Neeraj Chopra Classic international javelin event and will be replaced by Yashvir Singh, the organisers announced on Monday. The 23-year-old Yashvir had finished second in the Federation Cup in April and fifth in the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea in May with a personal best of 82.57m. 'Kishore Jena has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury. Yashvir Singh has been named as his replacement in the final lineup,' the organisers of NC Classic said in an official update. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On June 6, Poland's Martin Konecny had replaced Asian Games bronze medallist Genki Dean of Japan as the organisers confirmed the 12-man entry list for the rescheduled event. India's first-ever international javelin competition, originally slated for May 24, was postponed due to military tensions between India and Pakistan. Organised by double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra in collaboration with JSW Sports and sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the event will feature a world-class field comprising seven top international throwers and five Indian athletes, including Chopra himself. Apart from Konecny, the confirmed international lineup includes two-time world champion Anderson Peters (Grenada), 2016 Olympic gold medallist Thomas Röhler (Germany), 2015 world champion Julius Yego (Kenya), Curtis Thompson (USA), Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil), and Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka). The Indian contingent will feature Asian Championships silver medallist Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, and Sahil Silwal. Initially set to be held in Panchkula, the event has been relocated to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru due to lighting limitations at the original venue that affected live telecast capabilities. The event, granted Category A status by World Athletics, is considered a 'dream project' of Chopra and aims to establish India as a credible host of elite-level athletics events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It had to be postponed following the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including several tourists. According to the organisers, ticket prices will range from Rs 199 to Rs 9,999. Premium experiences include five corporate boxes, each accommodating 15 guests, priced at Rs 44,999. A special stand next to the thrower's runway is available for Rs 9,999, while another premium section in the North Upper Stand, just behind the runway, is priced at Rs 2,999.
