Following recent comments made by Neeraj Chopra, former Australian cricketer Brett Lee has responded with humility and humor. Chopra, India's double Olympic medalist in javelin, suggested that Lee's athleticism during his cricketing career could have translated well to the sport of javelin throwing.
The conversation arose ahead of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, with Neeraj having secured back-to-back victories at the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike events. During an interview with JioStar, the official broadcaster for the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, Chopra was asked which cricketer he thought would excel at javelin. He immediately named Brett Lee, acknowledging the Australian's athleticism, power, and explosive energy. Chopra also mentioned Jasprit Bumrah as another athlete he'd love to see try the javelin. He noted the unique synergy between the two sports. Moreover, Chopra playfully added that if he could have any superpower, it would be Sachin Tendulkar's mental strength, which allows him to handle pressure with composure.
Lee responded to Chopra's comments via social media, sharing an article from India Today. He downplayed the compliment with a touch of humor. Lee admitted to throwing javelin in his school days but said he was "nowhere near what Neeraj does & continues to do". He also added that the sport is "very tough on the elbow". Despite this, Lee expressed his admiration for Chopra, wishing him well.
Lee's response has been widely appreciated by fans of both cricket and athletics. His humble acknowledgment of Chopra's exceptional talent has further solidified the respect between the two athletes.
Neeraj Chopra's performances in the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike have cemented his status as a global icon in athletics. He recently reclaimed the top spot in the men's javelin throw rankings released by World Athletics, surpassing Grenada's Anderson Peters. Chopra is now focused on the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, which is scheduled to take place on July 5 in Bengaluru. This event marks India's first-ever international javelin competition. It was originally scheduled for May 24 but was postponed due to military tensions between India and Pakistan. The venue was also changed from Panchkula to Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru because of lighting limitations at the original venue.
