Isa Guha apologises for calling Jasprit Bumrah 'primate'

Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer with the ball in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Experienced commentator Isa Guha was one of the many experts who praised the legendary pacer for his stunning exploits. However, she landed in hot water after passing a strange comment on the Indian pacer during Day 2 of the third Test against Australia at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, December 16.

Describing the impact of Bumrah, who has picked up 18 wickets from five innings on the tour, Guha made the appalling decision to call him a "primate."

During the first session of the day’s play on Sunday, Guha’s co-commentator Brett Lee was lavishing praise on Bumrah, who continued his purple patch in the five-match series.

“Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that’s the tone, and that’s what you want from the ex-skipper,” Lee said.

To which Guha added: “Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? The most valuable primate is 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 a strange decision from Guha to call Bumrah a “Primate”, given the well-documented historical tension between Australia and India.

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In 2008, Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh got himself into years-long controversy for calling late Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds a “monkey” at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India's tour of Australia was almost on the verge of being cancelled after the incident took place. Harbhajan was banned for three matches but it was later revoked. Harbhajan and Symonds buried the hatchet during the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League when they represented Mumbai Indians. However, the Australian cricketer often stated the repercussions of the controversy, explaining how it hampered his life.

Guha went on to issue an apology on the broadcast and said that she didn't mean to hurt someone's feelings.

“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. 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. I’m an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game," she said.

“I was trying to frame the enormity of his achievement 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 there was no other intention or malice there, and I hope this hasn’t overshadowed what has been a great Test match so far – and I look forward to seeing how it progresses," she added.