Steve Bucknor Reflects on Controversial Decision Against Sachin Tendulkar: A Regretful Admission

Legendary Umpire Admits Mistake

New Delhi: Over twenty years after a controversial call against cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, former umpire Steve Bucknor has publicly acknowledged that it was indeed a mistake.

Bucknor, who hung up his umpiring boots in 2009, was a highly regarded figure in the cricketing world for more than two decades.

Despite his esteemed career, he made several contentious decisions involving Tendulkar, with the most infamous being an LBW call during a Test match between India and Australia at Brisbane's Gabba two decades ago.

In a recent interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor reflected on one of his toughest decisions, stating, "Giving Sachin Tendulkar out leg before wicket is something I know was a mistake, and to this day, people still discuss it."

"Why did I give him out? Was he really out? Mistakes are part of life, and I have come to terms with it. Life moves on," he added.

During that match in the 2003-04 series, Tendulkar was dismissed LBW after a loud appeal from Australian bowler Jason Gillespie and his teammates.

At the time, Tendulkar was on 3 runs and had tried to leave the ball, which hit him high on the pads, but Bucknor was swayed by the appeal.

Subsequent replays showed the ball was clearly going over the stumps, with the late Tony Greig labeling it as "a dreadful" decision, a sentiment shared by many.

The match, which was the first of a four-match series, ended in a draw, with Indian captain Sourav Ganguly scoring a brilliant 144.

This was not the only instance of Bucknor incorrectly giving Tendulkar out; in a 2005 match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, he ruled Tendulkar caught behind off Abdul Razzaq despite minimal appeal.

Replays later revealed a significant gap between the bat and the ball.

In a light-hearted moment during a fan interaction in 2024, Tendulkar joked about his relationship with Bucknor, suggesting, "When I bat, give him boxing gloves to wear so he can't raise his finger."

Bucknor, now 79, officiated in 128 Test matches from 1989 to 2009 and holds the record for officiating in five consecutive World Cup finals from 1992 to 2007.