Indian Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra recently opened up about how he could attempt playing cricket at a higher level ahead of the Diamond League opener in Doha. Being from India, Chopra has grown up in a cricket-crazy environment.
But with the 2023 season of the IPL going through at full force, Chopra was asked if he would take to playing cricket after his retirement from javelin. Reacting to the question, Neeraj Chopra spoke about how cricket doesn't allow the bending of the arm while bowling. But he further expressed that he is ready to try cricket if the rules are changed.
While speaking during a press conference in Doha on May 4, Chopra said, "It's tough because cricket also is a physical sport. There’s a rule that you can't bend the arm while throwing from the shoulder. If the rules are changed and they decide that we can throw it like a javelin, then probably I can join cricket."
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Neeraj will kick off his season in the Doha Diamond League and will enter the start-studded line-up as the Diamond Trophy winner. Chopra last year scripted history as he become the first Indian to win the Diamond Trophy, the title in the final of the Diamond League events, with an 87.44m throw.
But it's not going to be easy for the Indian javelin star as he will lock horns against Vadlejch and Peters and Olympic medalists like Julian Weber, Keshorn Walcott and Julius Yego, who will also be in action at the event.