Neeraj Chopra Taps Jasprit Bumrah as Cricketer With Javelin Potential

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic javelin champion, has made a surprising pick for a cricketer who could potentially dominate in javelin throw. During a recent segment on Star Sports, hosted by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Chopra identified Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian cricket team's fast bowler, as a strong candidate.

India's Neeraj Chopra (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Chopra's assessment is rooted in the physical attributes and techniques inherent in fast bowlers. He emphasized Bumrah's exceptional fitness and strength as pivotal elements that would make him well-suited for the sport, had he not already excelled in cricket.

"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 cricket performances underscore his remarkable physical capabilities. In the first Test match against England at Headingley, he achieved his 14th five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Despite Bumrah's efforts, England secured a victory by successfully chasing a target of 371 runs, with Ben Duckett scoring 149 runs, resulting in a 1-0 lead for England in the five-match Test series.

Bumrah's statistics in 2024 highlight his dominance. He has claimed 78 wickets in only 15 Test matches, positioning him as the leading fast bowler globally during this timeframe.

His workload is substantial, having bowled 410.4 overs, the most among all pace bowlers worldwide. This surpasses Australia's Mitchell Starc (362.3 overs) and England's Gus Atkinson (328 overs and 54 wickets). Ravindra Jadeja is the only other Indian bowler to exceed 400 overs, with 400.1 overs bowled. Mohammed Siraj, who has played the same number of matches as Bumrah, has bowled 355.3 overs.

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

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

This discussion surrounding Bumrah's potential in javelin throw emphasizes the interplay of athletic abilities between cricket and track and field, particularly the shared physical demands of fast bowling and javelin throwing.

The announcement served as part of the promotion for the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event, slated for July 5, and broadcast on Star Sports.