Isa Guha, former England cricketer, is under fire for her racially insensitive comment on India pacer Jasprit Bumrah during commentary for Fox Sports on day 2 of the ongoing third BGT 2024 Test in Brisbane.
The conversation happened on air shortly after Bumrah led India to a sensational start in the first innings with two quick wickets. So far in the series, the India fast bowler has been the highlight of the team's performance.
On Sunday, he took his 12th Test five-wicket haul, with centuries from Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101).
Australia icon Brett Lee praised the Indian vice-captain after the opening session of Day 2, in which Bumrah took two early wickets in the first half-hour.
“Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that’s the tone, and that’s what you want from the ex-skipper,” Lee said on Fox Sports.
However, in response to the statement, Guha made an eyebrow-raising remark as he called Bumrah a “primate”.
She 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.”
This racially insensitive comment led to Isa Guha being called out on social media and several of the cricket fans were reminded of the infamous ‘monkeygate’ scandal during BGT 2008 where Harbhajan Singh was accused by Andrew Symonds of calling him a monkey during the SCG Test.
Harbhajan received a three-match penalty amid fears that India's current trip could be canceled. However, after an appeal to the ICC, the ban was lifted.
Meanwhile, Guha, herself a British-Indian, was shown no mercy on social media, as fans took her to task over her ‘primate’ comment to Jasprit Bumrah.
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