WATCH: Neeraj Chopra's funny response when asked about taking up cricket after retiring from javelin

Neeraj Chopra (Source: Twitter)

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra recently opened up about his post-retirement life and joked about having a career in cricket. Chopra was speaking at a press conference ahead of the Diamond League opener in Doha. With the Indian Premier League craze going on in India, the 25-year-old was asked if he would take up cricket after retiring from the javelin.

Chopra had a funny elaborated response, saying he is ready to try his hand at cricket if the rules are altered and he is allowed to deliver the ball as he throws the javelin. He pointed out that cricket doesn't allow the bending of the arm when bowling.

For the uninitiated, if the player's elbow extends more than 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball is released, it is considered an illegal bowling action. According to the Cricket Governing Body, if the elbow extends more than 15 degrees then the player is throwing rather than bowling the ball.

"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," Chopra said during a press conference in Doha on Wednesday.

"Cricket is a very popular sport back in India and bowlers in cricket require a very fast arm. So the skill comes naturally to most athletes in India," he added.

Watch the video below: 

"If you could bowl like we throw the javelin, I'd be playing in the @IPL"

Who wants to see @neeraj_chopra1 firing yorkers at @fafduplessis, @davidwarner31 and @imVkohli? 😉#DohaDL #DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/RbKkKHBQOV

— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 4, 2023

Chopra aims to defend his Diamond Trophy

The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist will begin his season in the Doha Diamond League, where he will compete as the Diamond Trophy winner. Chopra scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win the Diamond Trophy with an 87.44m throw. He will be looking to defend his title and put down a marker ahead of the Paris Olympics.

However, it won't be easy for the Indian javelin star as tough competition awaits in the 10-man field. Apart from Vadlejch and Peters, former Olympic medalists like Julian Weber, Keshorn Walcott and Julius Yego will also be in action.