Neeraj Chopra Touts Jasprit Bumrah as Potential Javelin Thrower OR Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra Sees Javelin Potential in Cricketer Jasprit Bumrah OR Could Jasprit Bumrah Trade Cricket for Javelin? Neeraj Chopra Thinks So

Neeraj Chopra Picks This Indian Cricketer as Potential Javelin Star

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has identified Indian cricket team's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as a potential javelin thrower. Chopra made the surprising pick during a segment on Star Sports hosted by Navjot Singh Sidhu. The two-time Olympic gold medalist based his assessment on the physical attributes and techniques shared by fast bowlers.

Chopra emphasized Bumrah's fitness and strength as essential qualities that would translate well to javelin throwing, had he not already established himself 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 cricketing performance underscores his physical capabilities. In the first Test match against England at Headingley, he achieved his 14th five-wicket haul in the first innings.

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

Bumrah's 2024 statistics highlight his exceptional abilities. He has claimed 78 wickets in only 15 Test matches, making him the leading fast bowler globally during this period.

His workload has been considerable, bowling 410.4 overs, the most among all pace bowlers worldwide. This exceeds Australia's Mitchell Starc, who has bowled 362.3 overs, and England's Gus Atkinson with 328 overs and 54 wickets.

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

Due to workload management considerations, Bumrah is expected to rest for the upcoming Test at Edgbaston. Siraj is likely to spearhead the pace attack, despite his lackluster performance in the Headingley Test.

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

This discussion about Bumrah's potential in javelin throw emphasizes the athletic crossover between cricket and track and field, particularly the similar physical requirements for fast bowling and javelin throwing.

The announcement coincided with the promotion of the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event, scheduled for July 5 and broadcast on Star Sports.