Neeraj Chopra Touts Jasprit Bumrah's Javelin Potential: Olympic Champion Sees Cricket Star's Throwing Talent

Neeraj Chopra Identifies a Cricketer With Javelin Potential

Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion, has made a surprising pick for a cricketer who could potentially dominate in javelin throw: Jasprit Bumrah. During a special segment on Star Sports hosted by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Chopra highlighted Bumrah's physical attributes and techniques as key factors that make him suitable for the sport.

India's Neeraj Chopra believes Jasprit Bumrah has the fitness for javelin (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Chopra specifically emphasized Bumrah's exceptional fitness and strength. He suggested that if Bumrah weren't already a successful cricketer, he could excel in javelin throw.

"I think it would be a fast bowler for sure. So, I think a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah will be good at it," Chopra stated on Star Sports.

Bumrah's recent cricketing performance underscores his physical capabilities. In the first Test match against England, he achieved his 14th five-wicket haul in the first innings.

England secured a victory in the match, chasing a target of 371 runs, with Ben Duckett scoring 149. This win provided England with a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

Bumrah's statistics in 2024 highlight his outstanding abilities, having taken 78 wickets in just 15 Test matches, leading all fast bowlers globally during this period. His workload has been substantial, bowling 410.4 overs, the highest among all pace bowlers worldwide. This surpasses Australia's Mitchell Starc (362.3 overs) and England's Gus Atkinson (328 overs and 54 wickets).

Among Indian bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja is the only other player to have exceeded 400 overs, bowling 400.1 overs. Mohammed Siraj, who has played the same number of matches as Bumrah, has bowled 355.3 overs.

Due to workload management, Bumrah is expected to be rested for the upcoming Test at Edgbaston. Siraj is anticipated to lead the pace attack, despite his performance in the Headingley Test.

The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin on July 2 in Birmingham, where India will aim to level the series against England.

This discussion regarding Bumrah's potential in javelin throw emphasizes the intersection of athletic skills between cricket and track and field, particularly the physical requirements shared by fast bowling and javelin throwing.

The announcement was made as part of the promotion for the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event, scheduled for July 5, to be broadcast on Star Sports.