Isa Guha and Jasprit Bumrah. | (Credits: Twitter)
Fox Cricket commentator Isa Guha apologised for her alleged racial comment on air against Team India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on day two of the third Test in Brisbane. While Guha apologised for her remark, the former England cricketer clarified that she only meant respect for the right-arm pacer.
In a video surfaced on social media during Bumrah’s opening spell in the morning, Guha was heard saying on air, “Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah. 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.” It was in response to Brett Lee praising the 31-year-old for setting the tone.
Speaking on the Fox Cricket broadcast before play, the 39-year-old stated that the word ‘primate’ can be interpreted in many ways and didn’t mean any offence.
“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. Firstly, I’d like to apologise for any offence caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect for others and 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 as well.”
“I am an advocate for equality” – Isa Guha
Guha admitted that it was a wrong choice of word on her part and doesn’t want this to deflect the attention from the Test in Brisbane.
“I am an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I am trying to frame the enormity of his achievements and I have 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. I hope this doesn’t overshadow what has been a great Test match so far and I look forward to seeing how it progresses.”
