The English sports commentator and radio broadcaster Isa Guha called Jasprit Bumrah the MVP-Most valuable Primate, for which she apologized later
A English sports broadcaster has apologized for referring to star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah as ‘primate’ during the third cricket test between India and Australia which was played at Gabba stadium in Brisbane on Sunday.
Former England bowler Isa Guha, who is member of Australia’s Fox Sports cricket broadcast lineup made the accidental comment during the second day’s of third test which attracted immediate criticism on social media.
“Well, he is the MVP, isn’t he?” Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah,” Guha told on Sunday (15th December, 2024), where Bumrah had taken five wickets to again lead India’s bowling attack.
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At the beginning of Monday’s (16th December, 2024) broadcast Guha made the apology for using the term, which is broadly perceived to carry negative racial connotations.
“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” Guha told, while sat beside former Indian player and coach Ravi Shastri and host Adam Gilchrist.” I’d like to apologies for any offense caused. I set myself really high standards
when it comes to empathy and regard 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.”
Guha has been a high-profile face of the Fox sports broadcast team for many years and is of Indian heritage.
“I’m an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game, Guha added. “I was trying to frame the enormity of his achievement and I’ve chosen the wrong word. For that I am deeply sorry.”
Replying on her comment Ravi Shastri told that the matter had not been talked about within the Indian team and that it should be considered dealt with.
“Brave woman to do it on live television and apologize, it takes some steel,” Shastri told. “As far as I am concerned, game over. People are entitled to make mistake, we are all human.
“As far as the Indian team, there is a test match going on. They would like to focus on the game that is taking place”
