More than 22 years after a controversial decision in international cricket, former West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor has admitted that he made a mistake when he gave Sachin Tendulkar out in a Test match in 2003. Bucknor said the decision is one of the biggest errors of his long career and that he has had to live with it for many years.
The Controversial Match
The incident took place during the India vs Australia Test match at The Gabba in Brisbane in the 2003-04 series. Tendulkar was batting well when Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie bowled a delivery that hit Tendulkar’s pads. Bucknor gave him out leg before wicket (LBW) after a strong appeal from the Australian team.
However, television replays later showed that the ball was missing the stumps and was likely to go over them. Many commentators and fans at the time, including Australian pundits, felt the decision was wrong.
Bucknor’s Reaction After 22 Years
Now 79 years old, Bucknor spoke about the decision in an interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Association. He said that giving Tendulkar out was a mistake and that he knows this even today. Bucknor added that “mistakes happen” in life and that he has accepted this one.
“Giving Sachin Tendulkar out leg before wicket … it was a mistake,” Bucknor said. “People still talk about it, but I have accepted it, and life goes on.”
Other Controversial Calls
That Brisbane decision was not the only time Bucknor’s calls involving Tendulkar were questioned. In a 2005 Test match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, he also gave Tendulkar out caught behind even though replays showed that the ball did not touch the bat.
Legacy and Career
Steve Bucknor was one of the most respected umpires in world cricket before the Decision Review System (DRS) was introduced. He stood in 128 Test matches and several World Cup finals before retiring in 2009, but is still remembered especially for some controversial decisions during high-profile games.
Tendulkar’s Famous Comment
Sachin Tendulkar has occasionally spoken about his experiences with Bucknor in a light-hearted way. In a fan session, he once joked that Bucknor should wear boxing gloves when he’s batting, “so he can’t raise his finger.” His humour reflects how fans remember him even when mistakes happened