Former Indian cricket coach Ravi Shastri has publicly supported former England cricketer Isa Guha following her apology for a comment made during the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match at The Gabba. Guha’s comment sparked discussions about unconscious bias and cultural sensitivity in sports commentary.
Shastri expressed his support for Guha during a Fox Cricket broadcast.
“Brave woman. To do it on live television and apologise takes some steel, and you heard it from the horse’s mouth. As far as I’m concerned, game over. People are entitled to make mistakes—we are all human—and in the heat of the moment, like you saw with the Siraj incident with Travis Head, sometimes, when you have a mic in your hand, things can happen. But to own up, to put your hand up and say, ‘I’m sorry if things have gone out of place,’ takes courage. She’s done it, so let’s move on.”
Ravi Shastri’s supportive comments emphasised the need for understanding and forgiveness in such situations. His statement suggested that acknowledging and apologising for a mistake is a crucial step towards moving forward.
The incident occurred on Sunday when Guha, responding to Brett Lee’s praise of Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling performance, referred to Bumrah as the “MVP—Most Valuable Primate.”
Guha’s intention was to highlight Bumrah’s significant contributions as India’s leading bowler in a challenging match. However, the use of the word “primate” generated controversy.
Guha subsequently issued an apology for her choice of words.
“Yesterday in commentary, I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. I’d like to apologise for any offence caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect for others,” said Guha.
She clarified her intent and expressed regret for her phrasing.
“If you listen to the full transcript, I only meant the highest praise for one of India’s greatest players—someone I admire greatly. I’m an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game,” she added.
Guha further explained her background and stressed the absence of any malice in her comment. She also expressed hope that the incident would not overshadow the ongoing Test match.
“I was trying to frame the enormity of his achievement and I’ve chosen the wrong word. For that, I am deeply sorry. As someone who is also of South Asian heritage, I hope people will recognise that there was no other intention or malice, and I hope this hasn’t overshadowed what has been a great Test match so far. I look forward to seeing how it progresses.”
The incident has reignited discussions about responsible commentary and the significance of cultural sensitivity in sports broadcasting. It has also prompted a renewed focus on fostering inclusivity and respect within the game of cricket.
