Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was embroiled in an unwanted storm once again on Day 2 of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday. Bumrah ended up with figures of 6/76 as Australia piled up 445 after being sent into bat by Team India skipper Rohit Sharma.
However, it was a commentator’s unwanted statement which put the spotlight on Bumrah and rekindled the memories of ‘Monkeygate’ scandal down under in 2008. Former England woman cricketer Isa Guha had to issue an apology after calling Bumrah a ‘primate’ on air on Day 2 of the third Test for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
“Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah. ” Guha had said, while doing commentary for Fox Cricket on the second day after Bumrah took a five-wicket haul.
“He is the one that’s going to do all the talking for India, and why so much focus was on him in the buildup to this Test match, and whether he would be fit.”
The use of the word ‘primate’ stands out given the old tension between the two sides since the days of the 2008 ‘Monkeygate’ scandal between Harbhajan Singh and late Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds.
However, Guha issued an on-air apology before the start of play on the third day on Monday. “Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” she said.
A very genuine apology from Isa Guha. pic.twitter.com/W97FCCEP93
— Dan News (@dannews) December 15, 2024
“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,” the 39-year-old Guha said.
“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. Once again, I am really, really sorry,” Guha added.
Guha had turned out in 8 Tests, 83 ODIs and 22 T20 matches for England between 2002 and 2011.
