Two-time Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra recently stunned fans with an interesting observation. During a conversation with Navjot Singh Sidhu on Star Sports, Chopra stated that India's best fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah could actually do extremely well in the sport of javelin throw.
Chopra clarified that bowlers such as Bumrah possess the strength, coordination in the body, and fundamental technique required in javelin. He further explained that Bumrah, being strong and fit, possesses the potential to become a proficient javelin thrower if he were not a cricketer.
On StarSports, Chopra said:
"I think it would be a fast bowler for sure. So, I think a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah will be good at it."
Watch the video here:
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Workload of Bumrah and Test Match Performance
Bumrah was in recent action in the first Test match played between India and England at Headingley. He was India's top bowler during the first innings, with five wickets and his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests.
In the second innings, he didn't pick even a single wicket when England chased 371 for a win. Ben Duckett scored 149 and guided England to a fine victory. They are now 1-0 up in the five-match Test series. The second Test begins on July 2 in Birmingham.
Bumrah has been India's main bowler for years. He has picked 78 wickets in 15 Tests since the beginning of 2024, more than anybody else in the world among fast bowlers. But that also translates to the fact that he has done a lot of bowling, 410.4 overs, most for any fast bowler in this time frame. Only Ravindra Jadeja has done more among Indians (400.1 overs).
Mohammed Siraj has played an equal number of matches as Bumrah but has bowled just 355.3 overs. With Bumrah set to rest soon to limit his workload, Siraj could spearhead the pace attack in the upcoming Test. Yet, his performance in Leeds was not impressive.
