Isa Guha has returned to lead BBC Wimbledon coverage alongside Clare Balding, marking her third year presenting the tournament. The former England cricketer made her Wimbledon debut on the BBC in 2022.
Praise for Sue Barker
Guha praised predecessor Sue Barker, saying: "She's got an incredible warmth. When you watch her on television she feels like a friend." She added: "She was someone I certainly watched when I was younger, never imagined that I'd even be in her company so to be sat there with her and see how she goes about her business, her offering me advice and so forth, it was a little bit surreal."
Inside Isa Guha's Career
Born in Buckinghamshire in 1985 to parents who emigrated from Calcutta, India, in the 1970s, Guha is a former England cricketer. She balanced her sporting career with academics, earning a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from UCL and later an MPhil in neuroscience.
Guha reflected on her dual pursuits: "I went through a phase after we won the World Cup of 'what am I going to do with my life?'" she told The Telegraph. "I would spend three or four days a week training in the morning and then going to university. It took seven years [attempting to do a PhD] and I wanted to quit after the second year because it was just too much."
She played in the 2005 South Africa World Cup and the 2009 Australia World Cup, making history as the first South Asian woman to represent England after her international debut at age 17. In 2009, she was named the ICC number one ranked bowler in the world.
Guha retired from international cricket in 2012 and moved into broadcasting. She joined ITV Sport in 2012, co-presenting cricket coverage, then worked for Sky Sports and Fox. In 2020, she became the lead presenter of the BBC's test match and ODI highlights show.
Who Is Isa Guha's Husband?
Guha married musician Richard Thomas in 2018. Hailing from Cornwall, Thomas was a member of the acoustic-led alternative rock band Brothers and Bones, which disbanded in 2020 after ten years together. The band had opened tours for acts like Ben Howard and Bastille.
In September 2018, Guha shared wedding photos on X, writing: "It's been a challenging year but with this incredible human by my side I know I can get through anything. So lucky to have him in my life."
She revealed that her mother had received a cancer diagnosis shortly before the wedding. Speaking to The Telegraph in 2019, Guha said: "We got her out of hospital and did a small, intimate ceremony, then the following week in Cornwall, Ebony [Rainford-Brent] was on FaceTime to her throughout the whole wedding. She did get to see us get married."
Praising her husband's support after her mother's death in January 2019, she added: "He was just incredible. I am super lucky to have him in my life."
Wimbledon airs on BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer.
