Broadcaster apologizes for ’primate’ comment about India star bowler Bumrah

Broadcaster apologizes for calling Jasprit Bumrah 'primate' during cricket test, sparking racial connotations and immediate criticism.

A broadcaster has apologized for referring to star India bowler Jasprit Bumrah as ‘primate’ during the third cricket test between Australia and India.

Former England bowler Isa Guha, who is part of Australia's Fox Sports cricket broadcast lineup made the inadvertent comment during the second day's play which attracted immediate criticism on social media.

“Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah,” Guha said on Sunday (December 15, 2024), where Bumrah had taken five wickets to again lead India's bowling attack.

At the start of Monday's (December 16, 2024) broadcast Guha made the apology for using the term, which is widely perceived to carry negative racial connotations.

“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” Guha said, while sat beside former India player and coach Ravi Shastri and host Adam Gilchrist. “I’d like to apologise for any offence caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect of others.

“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.

Guha is of Indian heritage and has been a high-profile face of the Fox Sports broadcast team for several years.