Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra Tips Jasprit Bumrah for Javelin Success

Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion, believes that Indian cricket team's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has the potential to dominate in javelin throw. Chopra shared his insights during a segment on Star Sports, hosted by Navjot Singh Sidhu, emphasizing the physical similarities between fast bowling and javelin.

Neeraj Chopra believes Jasprit Bumrah has the physical attributes for javelin.

Chopra highlighted Bumrah's exceptional fitness and strength as key factors that would translate well to javelin throwing, were he not already a star 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, he achieved his 14th five-wicket haul in the first innings.

However, England secured a victory by chasing down 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 2024 statistics are remarkable, as he has claimed 78 wickets in just 15 Test matches, leading all fast bowlers worldwide in this period.

His workload has been significant, with 410.4 overs bowled, the most among all pace bowlers globally. This is more than Australia's Mitchell Starc (362.3 overs) and England's Gus Atkinson (328 overs, 54 wickets).

Among Indian bowlers, only Ravindra Jadeja has exceeded 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, Bumrah is expected to rest for the upcoming Test at Edgbaston. Siraj is likely to lead the pace attack, despite his performance in the Headingley Test.

The second Test of the series is scheduled to commence on July 2 in Birmingham.

Chopra's comments highlight the potential transferability of athletic skills between cricket and track and field, specifically the physical demands shared by fast bowling and javelin throwing.

The discussion served as promotion for the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event on July 5, broadcast on Star Sports.