Former England cricketer Isa Guha has been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s New Year Honours list, recognising her outstanding contribution to cricket and her tireless efforts to promote inclusivity in sport.
A trailblazer in every sense, Guha made history as the first woman of South Asian descent to represent England in any sport. Over a memorable international career, she featured in eight women’s Tests, 83 ODIs and 22 T20Is, claiming an impressive 148 wickets with her sharp and disciplined medium pace. She was also an integral part of England’s golden era in women’s cricket, playing key roles in multiple landmark triumphs.
Guha retired from international cricket on March 9, 2012 — coincidentally the same day Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid bid farewell to international cricket — marking the end of a remarkable playing journey at the age of just 26. Before stepping away, she helped England win both the ICC Women’s World Cup and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009. She was also crucial in England’s Ashes victories in 2005 and 2007–08, delivering a career-best match figure of 9 for 100 in Bowral.
Following her retirement, Guha seamlessly transitioned into broadcasting and quickly became one of the most respected voices in world cricket. In 2014, she scripted another milestone by becoming the first female summariser for BBC’s iconic Test Match Special. She further expanded her global presence by commenting during the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. In 2017, she became the first woman appointed as a non-executive director of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), reinforcing her influence beyond the field.
Guha’s contribution extends far beyond commentary and cricket administration. She founded the charity organisation Take Her Lead, an initiative dedicated to encouraging greater participation of women and girls in cricket and empowering them through equal opportunities in the sport.
Born in 1985 to Barun and Roma Guha, who migrated from Kolkata to London in the 1970s, Isa has always retained a strong emotional and cultural bond with her Indian roots, often visiting Kolkata to stay connected with her heritage. In 2018, she married musician Richard Thomas from the band Brother & Bones.
Her MBE crowns an extraordinary career defined not only by achievements on the field, but by her relentless commitment to shaping a more inclusive future for cricket.