Star commentator Isa Guha 'deeply sorry' for controversial 'primate' remark about Jasprit Bumrah

Former England international-turned-commentator Isa Guha has apologised for a controversial comment she made live on air during the third Test.

During a live exchange with Allan Border and Brett Lee on Fox Sports during day two on Sunday, Guha described Jasprit Bumrah as a "primate".

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

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Guha responded: "Well, he's the MVP, isn't he? [The] most valuable primate, 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."

The comment sparked controversy in India, with newspaper The Times of India comparing it to the controversial "monkeygate" scandal between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds in 2008.

At the start of Fox Sports' day three coverage, Guha - whose parents hail from Kolkata - apologised for the remark.

"Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways," she said.

"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 of one of India's greatest players and someone I admire greatly as well.

"I'm an advocate for equality and someone who's spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I'm trying to frame the enormity of his achievements 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 is no other intention or malice there.

"Once again, I'm really, really sorry."

Guha is highly regarded in the industry and has led the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon and cricket for several years in the UK.

Guha made the apology sitting alongside India great Ravi Shastri, who coached the side to victory in the 2020-2021 Border Gavaskar Trophy.

He said he had spoken to "a few of the players" about the remark, before praising her for making the apology live.

"To do it on live television and apologise, it takes some steel. You heard it from the horse's mouth. As far as I'm concerned, game over," he said.

"People are entitled to make mistakes, we're all human. In the heat of the moment, like [as] we saw with the Siraj incident with Travis Head, sometimes when you have the mic in your hand, things can happen.

"But to own up, put your hand up and say I'm sorry if things have gone out of place, takes courage.

"She's done it, let's move on."