Cricket fans have been going gaga over popular BBC presenter Isa Guha throughout the Border-Gavaskar series, and it’s not just for her expert opinions and analysis in the commentary box.
Guha won two World Cups with England as a player, but never had ambitions to become a presenter.
He is now one of the most recognizable faces of live cricket broadcasting, presenting Today at the Test on the BBC and commentating on Test Match Special, as well as working for Fox Cricket and Channel Seven in Australia.
As if that were not enough, the 39-year-old also presents the BBC’s live coverage from Wimbledon.
This summer, viewers fell in love with Guha’s voice, with many taking to social media to post about how “seductive” they find her.
“I don’t know why but Isha Guha’s comment turns me on,” one fan posted.
The voice of presenter Isa Guha has been a big hit with cricket fans this summer.
“Finally someone recognized him,” another responded.
“You spoke to my heart, sir,” responded a third.
A fourth commented: ‘I’m a fan of Isa Guha. He has a seductive voice and his comebacks are excellent, constantly throwing witty comments at his fellow commentators. Instagram is lit up with his witty quotes.’
Hundreds of other cricket fans commented on his voice, but many of the comments are not suitable for publication.
Guha apologized after the former England cricketer called Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah his team’s “most valuable primate” during the Brisbane Test.
Guha made the comment during a broadcast for Fox Sports, saying: “He’s the MVP, right?” (The) most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah.’
The comment sparked outrage on social media due to the word’s history of use as a racial slur.
Guha said he had “used a word that can be interpreted in different ways.”
The 39-year-old won two World Cups as a player before becoming one of cricket’s most respected commentators.
‘Firstly, I would like to apologize for any offense caused. “I set very high standards for myself when it comes to empathy and respect for others,” he said.
‘If you listen to the full transcript, I just wanted to say the highest praise for one of India’s greatest players. And someone I admire a lot too.’
Guha’s parents, Barun and Roma, emigrated from Calcutta in West Bengal, India, to the United Kingdom in the 1970s.
“As someone who is also of South Asian descent, I hope people recognize that there was no other intent or malice there,” he said.
‘I am an advocate for equality and I am someone who has spent my career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game.
“I hope this hasn’t overshadowed what has been a great Test match so far and I look forward to seeing how it progresses.” But once again, I’m so sorry.’
Bowler Bumrah took five wickets during the second day of the third Test in Brisbane.
‘In trying to frame the enormity of his achievements, I said the wrong word at the time. “It was a real mistake, there was no other intention and I am sorry for the discomfort caused,” Guha added on his Instagram story.
Guha apologized after calling Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah his team’s ‘most valuable primate’ during the third Test in Brisbane.
Guha has become one of the most recognizable faces in cricket broadcasting.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri sat next to Guha to apologize on Fox Sports and applauded his statement before urging people to “move on”.
“First of all, brave woman,” he said of Guha.
‘To do it on live television and apologize, it takes some steel. You heard it from the horse’s mouth, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s game over. We are all human and we all have the right to make mistakes.
‘In the heat of the moment, as you saw with Siraj’s incident with Travis Head (at the Adelaide Test), sometimes when you have the microphone in your hand, things can happen.
‘But to confess, to raise your hand and say ‘I’m sorry’, if things have gotten out of hand, it takes courage. She’s done it, let’s move on.’