BBC presenter Isa Guha issues bizarre apology after the former England cricketer called star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah 'most valuable primate'
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BBC presenter Isa Guha has issued a bizarre apology after the former England cricketer called Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah his team's 'most valuable primate'. Guha, who was part of England's 2005 and 2009 World Cup teams, said during a Sunday broadcast for Fox Sports in Brisbane, Australia: 'He's the MVP, isn't he? [The] most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah.'.
![[Guha's comment came as Bumrah (left) took five wickets during Sunday's play, as Australia ended the day 405/7]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/22/93167739-14176735-It_came_as_Bumrah_left_took_five_wickets_during_Sunday_s_play_at-a-1_1734301390513.jpg)
The comment sparked outrage on social media due to the word's history of being used as a racial slur. Guha issued an apology over her comment today, saying that she had 'used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways'. 'Firstly, I would like to apologise for any offence caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect of others,' she said to open Fox Sports coverage on Monday.
![[Isa Guha is pictured above presenting for the BBC at Lord's Cricket Ground this year]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93201417-14198155-image-a-42_1734367904379.jpg)
'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.'. Guha's parents Barun and Roma emigrated from Calcutta in West Bengal, India to the United Kingdom in the 1970s which means she has Indian heritage, although she was born and raised in the UK.
![[Former England cricket player and Fox Sports commentator Isa Guha has come under fire for comments made about Indian star Jasprit Bumrah during the third Test against Australia]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/23/93177589-14176735-image-a-1_1734304255904.jpg)
'As someone who is also of south-Asian heritage, I hope people would recognise that there was no other intention or malice there,' she said. Guha allegedly called Bumrah a 'primate' during a conversation with fellow commentator Brett Lee (pictured) while live on air.
![['In trying to frame the enormity of his achievements, I said the wrong word in the moment. It was a genuine slip up, there was no other intention and I am sorry for any upset caused,' Guha added on her Instagram story]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/17/93201563-14198155-_In_trying_to_frame_the_enormity_of_his_achievements_I_said_the_-m-59_1734368452680.jpg)
