Fox Sports commentator and former England cricketer Isa Guha has apologised for labelling Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah a “primate” during the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane.

Guha, an experienced broadcaster who has worked on the BBC’s Wimbledon and Olympics coverage, made the comment while on air during day two of the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Fellow commentator Brett Lee said: “Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that’s the tone, and that’s what you want from the ex-skipper.”

Guha responded by saying: “Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? 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 has sparked controversy in India, with The Times of India comparing it to the “monkeygate” scandal of 2008 when Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was accused of calling Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds a “monkey”.

Guha addressed her comments on the Fox broadcast before play on Monday.

“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” Guha said alongside commentators Adam Gilchrist and Ravi Shastri.

“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 for one of India’s greatest players and someone that I admire greatly as well.