IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah targeted with racially sensitive remarks, remind fans of 'Monkeygate' scandal

IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah was once again sensational against Australia at the Gabba Test. (Photo: PTI)

IND vs AUS: Former England women's cricket team star Isa Guha faced intense backlash after making a racially insensitive comment about Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah during Day 2 of the third Test match against Australia on Sunday. The controversy arose after Australia's Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja were dismissed, prompting former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee to praise Bumrah's performance.

"Bumrah today: five overs, 2-4. That sets the tone, and that’s exactly what you want from the ex-skipper," Lee remarked on FOX Cricket. In response, Guha referred to Bumrah as the "Most Valuable Primate," a comment that quickly ignited outrage and widespread criticism from fans on social media.

Monkey gate! Isha just called bumrah a primate hahah
rainy days (@wheresistherain) December 15, 2024

*Isa Guha https://t.co/VgmsHxoG21 pic.twitter.com/zWTJ8HUxXE Matt Krawczyk (@mjkrawz) December 15, 2024

The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with many fans drawing parallels to the infamous "Monkeygate" controversy of 2008, where Harbhajan Singh was accused by Andrew Symonds of allegedly using the term "monkey" to insult him.

Meanwhile, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted on Sunday that the Indian bowlers struggled to execute their plans against Australian centurion Travis Head. He urged the team to improve their performance with the old ball, particularly between overs 50 and 80.

"First of all, we can say he's (Head) in pretty good form. But I think for us with the ball, if you look at it from overs 50 to 80, even in the last game, is where we fall short, leaking (runs) a little bit. So, that's one area I think we need to get better at," Morkel said in the post-day press conference.

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Head, along with fellow century-maker Steve Smith, dominated the Indian attack, smashing 171 runs in just 31 overs during the third session on Day 2 of the third Test. This came after a wicketless post-lunch session. By the end of the day, Australia had reached a commanding 405 for seven.

Jasprit Bumrah at his brilliant best

After a rain-curtailed Day 1, which allowed only 13.2 overs and saw no wickets for Bumrah, he bounced back impressively on Day 2. By stumps, Bumrah had claimed remarkable figures of 25-7-72-5, taking the key wickets of Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh.

Despite Bumrah’s brilliance, Australia ended Day 2 in a strong position at 405 for seven in 101 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with a wicket each.

Also Read - IND vs AUS: Michael Vaughan mocks Rohit Sharma and Co. after brutal smashing from Travis Head at Gabba

In the first Test, Bumrah demonstrated once again why he is regarded as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket, earning the Player of the Match award in the Perth Test where India secured a commanding 295-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series. With India under pressure, Bumrah stepped up to deliver yet another exceptional performance in the ongoing Brisbane Test.