Fox Cricket commentator Isa Guha has publicly apologised for the comments she made about cricketer Jasprit Bumrah, where she referred to him as India’s “most valuable primate” during the first session of play.
Interpreted by many as a racial slur, the 39-year old popular commentator who is of Indian descent made an apology on live TV as a storm erupted online.
“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” she said on Fox Cricket. “Firstly I’d like to apologise for any offence caused. 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.”
She went on to describe herself as “an advocate for equality and someone who’s always spent their career thinking about inclusion and understating in the game.”
“I’m trying to frame the enormity of his achievements,” she continued. “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 will 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 made the inciting comment during Day Two of Australia’s third test against India at the Gabba in Western Australia.
After her on-air apology, which she then posted onto her socials, fellow commentator Ravi Shastri commended Guha, calling her a “brave woman to do it on live television and apologise.”
“It takes some steel,” he remarked. “You heard it from the horse’s mouth. As far as I’m concerned, game over. People are entitled to make mistakes. We are all human. In the heat of the moment, like you saw with the [Mohammed] Siraj incident with Travis Head, sometimes when you have the mic in your hand, things can happen. To own up and say I’m sorry … it takes courage. She’s done it. Let’s move on.”
“As far as the Indian team, there is a Test on and they want to focus on the game.”
Shastri was referring to the verbal spat between Australian batter Travis Head and Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj during the second Test in Adelaide last week, which left both players with demerit points, and the latter a fine.
It’s an unfortunate incident for the world of cricket, where female commentators are a minority. A 2023 study found that female sports journalists make up less than 20 per cent of the industry.