28 June,2025 06:43 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Neeraj Chopra, Jasprit Bumrah (Pic: AFP)
Can you picture India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah launching a javelin across the field? India's Olympic gold medallist and reigning world champion in javelin, Neeraj Chopra believes that the 31-year-old speedster has all the natural qualities to excel in his sport.
Speaking ahead of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, slated for July 5 in Bengaluru, Neeraj told Olympics.com via Star Sports, "I think it would be a fast bowler (A good javelin thrower from other sport), for sure. So, I think a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah, in his prime, will be good at it."
Chopra's assessment isn't far-fetched. The parallels between fast bowling and javelin throwing are striking, as both demand a strong, fluid run-up to build momentum, impeccable timing and speed, along with sturdy legs, a powerful core, and robust shoulders to unleash a forceful final release. These are precisely the strengths that make Bumrah a standout on the cricket field.
Currently ranked as the world's No.1 Test bowler, Bumrah remains the spearhead of India's formidable pace battery. In the recent Leeds Test against England, he underlined his prowess with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, although he couldn't add to his tally during India's unsuccessful defense of a hefty 371-run target.
Meanwhile, on the global athletics circuit, Chopra continues to elevate his game. Earlier this week, World Athletics updated its rankings, with the 26-year-old reclaiming the top spot in men's javelin throw from Grenada's Anderson Peters. As per Olympics.com, Chopra's points rose to 1,445, edging past Peters' 1,431, while Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem sits fourth at 1,370 points.
Not long ago, Chopra had slipped to the second position, losing his No.1 ranking to Peters in September 2024, shortly after the Paris Olympics, where he secured silver with a fine effort of 89.45 m, as Peters clinched bronze.
The year 2025, however, has turned into a banner season for the Indian icon. Chopra began with a victory at the Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April. He then produced a landmark performance at the Doha Diamond League, crossing the elusive 90-metre mark for the first time with a personal best of 90.23 m, finishing second in a high-quality field.
His momentum carried forward to the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland, where he claimed another runner-up finish. June proved especially fruitful, with Chopra clinching back-to-back titles at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike, registering best throws of 88.16 m and 85.29 m, respectively.
