Which Indian cricketer can be successful javelin thrower? Neeraj Chopra answers

Neeraj Chopra will be in action on Saturday, July 5.

In a recent Star Sports segment hosted by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra delivered a light-hearted yet intriguing take when asked which cricketer could excel in the 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 replied with a smile during the rapid-fire portion of the show promoting the upcoming NC Classic on July 5.

With a little research, the connection appears to be quite accurate, as the biomechanics of fast bowling in cricket and javelin throw in athletics have many similarities.

Both disciplines rely on a strong run-up to build momentum followed by a powerful and coordinated sequence of movements to propel an object—be it a ball or a javelin—with maximum force and accuracy. Chopra’s comment playfully highlighted this unexpected but logical crossover of athletic skill.

By playfully skipping over big names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Chopra’s cheeky pick stirred up some buzz for a friendly debate. Interestingly, Neeraj has already trained with former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik and was seen teaching him the basics of javelin throw.

While he praised Karthik’s effort and called him “awesome,” Neeraj is now curious to train with a fast bowler to explore their unique techniques and physical training demands. Both Neeraj and Bumrah are in their prime representing the best of Indian sport on the world stage. So, what’s next for them?

Neeraj Chopra gears up for NC Classic 2025:

Neeraj Chopra prepares for his next big challenge at the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 in Bengaluru on July 5, and all eyes are on the Olympic champion as he continues to lead India’s charge in athletics. Currently ranked World No. 1 in javelin, Chopra recently breached the 90-meter mark in Doha and is using this home-soil event as a crucial step toward the World Championships.

On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah remains the spearhead of India’s pace attack across formats. Fresh from a successful Test season and with the T20 World Cup campaign behind him, Bumrah is now focused on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and the World Test Championship cycle.

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