BRISBANE, Australia — An Australian broadcaster has expressed regret after mistakenly referring to Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah as a “primate” during the ongoing third Test match between India and Australia. This remark was made by Isa Guha, a former England bowler and a commentator for Fox Sports, during the second day’s play, leading to an instant backlash on social media platforms.
Guha’s comment occurred after Bumrah had achieved an impressive feat, taking five wickets and showing excellent performance in leading India’s bowling efforts. On Sunday, she said, “Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah,” which quickly drew criticism for its insensitive undertones.
Following the uproar, Guha took to the airwaves at the beginning of the next day’s broadcast to clarify her remarks. Speaking alongside former Indian player and coach Ravi Shastri and host Adam Gilchrist, she stated, “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 emphasized that her intention was to offer praise to one of India’s top players, saying, “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, who has Indian heritage, has been a prominent member of the Fox Sports cricket commentary team for several years, making her apology even more significant.
“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.”
In response to the situation, Shastri remarked that the commentary incident did not seem to be a subject of concern among the Indian team and suggested it should be considered resolved. “Brave woman to do it on live television and apologize, it takes some steel,” he said, noting that mistakes happen and that people are only human.
Shastri further mentioned the ongoing Test match and emphasized the importance for the team to stay focused on their performance. This incident has sparked memories of the infamous 2008 “monkeygate” scandal, where allegations arose against Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh for using a derogatory term towards Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds during a Test match in Sydney. Harbhajan faced a three-match suspension, which was later lifted following protests from the Indian team.
