Isa Guha, the groundbreaker who became the first woman of South Asian heritage to play for England in any sport, has received an MBE in the King’s 2026 New Year’s Honours. This prestigious nod celebrates her lifelong commitment to cricket and her efforts to make the game more inclusive for everyone, especially women and girls from diverse backgrounds.
Guha’s playing days were packed with highlights before she retired at the tender age of 26. Across 8 Tests, 83 ODIs, and 22 T20Is, she claimed 148 wickets with her sharp medium-pace bowling that troubled batters worldwide. She played a pivotal role in England’s golden era, clinching the 2009 ODI World Cup in Australia—where she took 13 wickets—and the T20 World Cup that same year. Add to that back-to-back Women’s Ashes victories in 2005 and 2007-08, including her career-best 9 for 100 at Bowral, a spell that swung the series England’s way.
Stepping away from the field allowed Guha to chase new horizons. She dove into broadcasting, carving out a niche much like fellow retirees Anjum Chopra and Lisa Sthalekar. Her landmark moment arrived in 2014 as the first woman to summarize on BBC’s iconic Test Match Special, bringing fresh energy to the airwaves. She followed that up covering the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, her insightful commentary earning fans across the globe.
Guha’s influence extended into leadership too. In 2017, she made history as the first female non-executive director on the Professional Cricketers’ Association board, advocating for player welfare and diversity. Off the pitch, she launched Take Her Lead, a charity that transformed grassroots cricket by mentoring young girls, providing equipment, and hosting clinics to boost female participation—efforts that have inspired thousands to pick up the game.
Born in 1985 to Barun and Roma, who left Kolkata for London in the 1970s chasing better opportunities, Guha has never lost touch with her roots. She makes regular visits back to her ancestral city, blending her British upbringing with Bengali heritage. Since tying the knot with musician Richard Thomas of the band Brother & Bones in 2018, she’s balanced family life with her passion projects.
At 40, Guha stands as a beacon for aspiring cricketers, proving that breaking barriers on and off the field can reshape the sport for generations.
Loves all things female cricket