I'm deeply sorry: Isa Guha apologises for calling Bumrah 'primate'

Cricketer-turned-commentator Isa Guha has apologised for her remarks on India’s ace paceman Jasprit Bumrah during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane.

While praising Bumrah, the former England player called him the “MVP – Most Valuable Primate”. Adding further, Guha said: “He is the one that’s going to do all the talking for India and why so much focus was on him in the build-up to this Test match and whether he would be fit. He needs some support though."

People on social media weren’t impressed with her remarks, and Guha, before the start of day three on December 16 (Monday) on Fox Cricket, apologised for her comments.

“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. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect of others," she said.

“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. And for that, I am deeply sorry. As someone who is also of South Asian heritage I hope people would recognise there was no other intention or malice there, and I hope this hasn’t overshadowed what has been a great Test match so far – and I look forward to seeing how it progresses.”

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri reacted to her apology, saying: “Brave woman, to apologise on live television takes some steel. You heard it from the horse’s mouth so as far as I am concerned, game’s over. People are entitled to make mistakes, we are all human. In the heat of the moment, sometimes when you have the mic in your hand, things can happen. Let’s move on.”

Bumrah once again did the majority of the work for India in the first innings of the third Test. The right-arm pacer claimed 6/76 but didn’t find much support from the other end as Australia amassed a total of 445 in 117.1 overs.

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