 "Scrreengrab of video in which Isa Guha apologises for her offensive remark on Jasprit Bumrah while commentating on the third Test between Australia and India on Fox Cricket. Image credit: X/@dannews")
Cricketer-turned-commentator Isa Guha offered an apology on Monday after controversially referring to Jasprit Bumrah as a “primate” while on air during the third Test between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane. Former England seamer Guha said she was “deeply sorry” for choosing the wrong word to describe Bumrah following his heroics on Day 2 at The Gabba.
Guha was commentating for Fox Cricket alongside ex-Australian pacer Brett Lee in the morning session on Sunday when the two began to discuss Bumrah’s early dismissals of openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney.
“Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that’s the tone, and that’s what you want from the ex-skipper,” Lee had said on Sunday.
“Well, he’s the MVP isn’t he? Most Valuable Primate, Jasprit Bumrah," Guha replied.
Guha’s comments would spark a backlash on social media, including and especially on X (formerly Twitter), with some considering it a reminder of the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ scandal from the 2007-08 series Down Under in which Harbhajan Singh was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds.
“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. I’d like to apologise for any offence caused,” Guha said on Fox Cricket ahead of the start of Day 3.
“I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect of others. If you listen to the full transcript I only meant the highest praise for one of India’s greatest players. And someone that I admire greatly.”
“I’m an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I was trying to frame the enormity of his achievement and I’ve chosen the wrong word. For that I am deeply sorry,” she added.
Guha, who is of Indian descent herself with her parents having emigrated to the United Kingdom from Calcutta (currently known as Kolkata), added that there was no malice in her comments.
“As someone who is also … of South Asian heritage, I hope people would recognise there was no other intention or malice there. I hope this doesn’t overshadow what has been a great Test match so far and I look forward to seeing how it progresses. Once again, I am really, really sorry,” added the 39-year-old, who had represented the England women’s team in 83 ODIs and 22 T20Is besides eight Tests.
Bumrah finished as the pick of the Indian bowlers after skipper Rohit Sharma opted to field, collecting 6/76 that ensures he remains at the top of the wicket-takers’ list for now. Australia, however, ended up posting a commanding score of 445 thanks to centuries from Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101) along with a knock of 70 from Alex Carey.
Mitchell Starc would then strike twice with the new ball as the Pat Cummins-led side reduced the visitors to 51/4 at stumps on a rain-affected Day 3.