English commentator apologises for calling Indian cricket star ‘most valuable primate’

BBC presenter and former England cricketer Isa Guha has apologised for describing Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah as a “primate” while working for Fox Sports in Australia.

Guha, who has worked as a presenter for the BBC’s Wimbledon and Olympics coverage as well as a cricket commentator, was working on the Australia versus India test match in Brisbane and made the remark during the first session of day two of the second test.

“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” Guha, said at the start of play on day three.

“I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect of 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’m an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I’m trying to frame the enormity of his achievements 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 that there was no other intention or malice there. I hope that this hasn’t overshadowed what has been a great Test match so far and I look forward to seeing how it progresses.

“But once again, I’m really, really sorry.”

Guha is a lead presenter of the BBC’s cricket on television and has also worked on the corporation’s Wimbledon coverage, helping to fill the void left by Sue Barker, as well as their programmes from the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

It happened during a live exchange with fellow commentators Allan Border and Brett Lee. Lee said: “Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that’s the tone, and that’s what you want from the ex-skipper.

Jasprit Bumrah against Australia in Adelaide. Photo / Photosport

Guha responded by saying: “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.”

A spokesman for the Indian team said that they did not hear the remark and would not speak to Bumrah before the end of play.

The comment sparked controversy in India with the Times of India newspaper comparing it to the “monkeygate” scandal of 2008 when Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was accused of calling Andrew Symonds a “monkey”.

Guha’s parents are from Kolkata and she is one of the most prominent British Asian presenters in sport. She has worked extensively in Australia for Fox Sports alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan with both commentating on the current Australia-India series.