Cricket commentator Isa Guha has apologized for calling Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah the “most valuable primate” during the third Test against Australia.
She made the remark while commentating for Fox Sports in Brisbane on Sunday after Bumrah got India off to a stunning start with two quick wickets.
His comment sparked a backlash on social media, which highlighted the word's history as a racial slur.
On Monday, Guha apologized on air: “Yesterday, in a comment, I used a word that can be interpreted in different ways… I would like to apologize for any offense caused.”
Guha, who is also a BBC commentator and former England cricketer, was speaking live with colleagues Brett Lee and Allan Border when the controversy erupted.
“Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that's the tone, and that's what you expect from the former skipper,” Lee said.
Guha replied: “Well, he is the MVP, isn't he? (The) most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah. He is the one who will speak for India, and why so many attention was given to him in construction.” -until this test match, and if he would be fit.”
In her apology on Monday, she said: “I set very high standards for myself when it comes to empathy and respect for others and if you listen to the full transcript, I wanted to say nothing but the highest praise for one of greatest Indian players and someone I also admire a lot,” she said.
She said she had “tried to describe the enormity of his achievements and I chose the wrong word and I am deeply sorry.”
“As someone who is also of South Asian descent, I hope people recognize that there was no other intent or malice,” she said.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri, another Fox Sports commentator, praised her for her apology and urged India to “move on”.
“People are allowed to make mistakes. We're all human. To admit it and say, 'I'm sorry'…it takes courage. She did it.
“As far as the Indian team is concerned, there is a test and they want to concentrate on the match,” he said.
Bumrah continued his exploits on Monday, claiming his sixth wicket of the innings.
Racial slurs are not uncommon in international cricket.
During the Indian team's tour of Australia in 2007 and 2008, Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds claimed that India's Harbhajan Singh called him “nothing but a monkey”.
An independent report into the sport published last year found racism, sexism, classism and elitism were “widespread” in English and Welsh football.
