Jai And Veeru Of Indian Pole Vault: The Story Of Dev Meena, Kuldeep Kumar And A Revolution In Sky

The popularity of the cult Hindi film Sholay was such that almost every Indian was familiar with the names Jai and Veeru. The two iconic characters, portrayed by legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, became synonymous with a partnership where two individuals perfectly complemented each other. Despite their contrasting personalities, they shared one defining trait - constantly pushing each other to become better.

Today, Indian athletics has found its own Jai and Veeru. Their names are Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar.

One is the trailblazer who changed the game. The other is the challenger who arrived quietly, much like the duo of Jai-Veeru. Together, they have transformed Indian men's pole vault from a little-followed event into one of the most exciting stories in Indian athletics.

And the best part? Their story is only just beginning. For many years, Indian men's pole vault remained in the shadows. Records stood untouched for long periods. The national record of 5.31m, set by Siva Subramanian, looked difficult to break.

Then came Dev Meena. In 2025, Dev announced himself in spectacular fashion. At the National Games, he cleared 5.32m and broke the long-standing national record. It was a historic moment, but for Dev, it was only the beginning.

A few months later at the Federation Cup in Kochi, the Madhya Pradesh athlete went even higher, clearing 5.35m.

Still not satisfied, Dev raised the bar once again during the World University Games qualification, clearing 5.40m. Later in Germany, he also produced an impressive 5.35m performance in the final.

Three national records in a single year. Indian pole vault had never seen anything quite like it.

As 2026 arrived, Dev continued his remarkable journey. At the Chinese Taipei Sun Moon Lake Pole Vault competition, he equalled his national record of 5.40m and showed that his performances were no longer a surprise, they had become the standard. But every great story, much like Sholay - one of the most successful films in Indian Cinema - needs a second hero. That hero was Kuldeep Kumar.

At the beginning of 2026, very few people outside athletics circles were talking about him. He quietly opened his season with a personal best of 5.25m at the Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru.

Then came the breakthrough. At the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in Bhubaneswar, Kuldeep stunned everyone by clearing 5.41m. In a single jump, he broke Dev Meena's national record and became India's new record holder.

It was the moment Indian pole vault realised it now had two stars instead of one. What happened next at the Federation Cup in Ranchi will be remembered as one of the greatest days in Indian athletics history.

First, Dev Meena reclaimed the national record with a clearance of 5.42m. The crowd had barely finished celebrating when Kuldeep responded. He soared over 5.45m. A new national record. A new statement. A new chapter.

But the drama was not over. Moments later, Dev Meena picked up his pole, sprinted down the runway and cleared the very same height - 5.45m.

For the first time in history, India had two men's pole vaulters sharing the national record. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie. Jai and Veeru. Not fighting against Gabbar; simply flying together.

Their rivalry was not about defeating one another. It was about inspiring one another. Every jump from one athlete forced the other to believe that another centimetre was possible.

Then came another chapter. At the 2026 Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, Dev Meena once again raised the bar. He cleared 5.46m and broke the national record for the fifth time in just sixteen months.

His incredible record-breaking journey now reads:

• National Games 2025 - 5.32m
• Federation Cup 2025 - 5.35m
• World University Games Qualification 2025 - 5.40m
• Federation Cup 2026 - 5.45m
• Inter-State Athletics Championships 2026 - 5.46m

Five national records. Sixteen months. One game-changing athlete. But this story is bigger than records. Dev Meena did not simply improve a number in the record books. He changed the belief system of Indian pole vault. He showed an entire generation that heights once considered impossible were actually within reach.

Kuldeep Kumar strengthened that belief. His rise in 2026 has been one of the most inspiring stories in Indian athletics. Even after losing the national record back to Dev, he continued producing strong performances and proving that he belongs among the very best.

Records may change hands. Champions may rise and fall. But the emergence of Kuldeep Kumar has permanently raised the standard of Indian pole vault.

Behind this remarkable transformation stands coach Ghanshyam Yadav, the architect of India's pole vault revolution.

Under his guidance, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar have pushed each other to greater heights. Since last season, athletes coached by Ghanshyam Yadav have broken the national record six times.

"It is a matter of great happiness that Dev and Kuldeep are going to represent India at the Commonwealth Games. Both of them will showcase the new achievements of Indian pole vault and inspire many others as well. There are many athletes in the country who take up pole vault, but unfortunately, they are unable to reach the podium. Our aim will be to give Indian pole vault a new identity at major events like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics," Ghanshyam tells myKhel.

"We have studied the last four editions of the Commonwealth Games, and according to our analysis, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar are in the medal range. I am fully confident that both of them will bring medals for India," he said beaming with pride.

Together, they have taken India's national record from 5.31m to 5.46m in an incredibly short period. What once seemed impossible is now reality. And the future looks even brighter.

Alongside Dev and Kuldeep, athletes such as Reegan Ganesh are continuing to raise the level of competition. At the junior level, Kavin Raja has already cleared 5.12m, showing that a new generation is ready to follow.

Indian pole vault is no longer dependent on one athlete. It is building depth. It is building belief. It is building a legacy.

Now, the spotlight shifts to Glasgow 2026. For the first time, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar will compete at the Commonwealth Games, the biggest international stage of their careers. Dev enters as India's record holder. Kuldeep arrives as India's second-best pole vaulter and one of the fastest-rising athletes in the country.

Together, they carry the hopes of a nation that is beginning to dream bigger in pole vault. Much like Jai and Veeru, they may have different journeys. But their destination is the same. To take Indian pole vault higher than it has ever gone before.

Five national records. Sixteen months. Two heroes. One revolution. And perhaps, the beginning of India's greatest pole vault story!