The legendary umpire Steve Bucknor has finally apologized and acknowledged that “it was a mistake” more than twenty years after rendering what was then largely regarded as a “dreadful” judgment against Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.” For more than 20 years, Bucknor—who retired in 2009—was among the most reputable umpires in world cricket.
He did, however, make a few controversial decisions involving Tendulkar, the most startling of which was an LBW dismissal made 22 years ago at Brisbane’s Gabba during an India-Australia Test match.
When asked about one of the hardest choices he had to make as an umpire in an interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Association, Bucknor responded: “Giving Sachin Tendulkar out leg before wicket, and it’s a matter of knowing that it was a mistake, but until this day, every day, people talk about it.
“Why did I give him out? Was he out and so on? But then in life, mistakes happen. I have accepted that it was a mistake, and life goes on.”
In that 2003-04 series encounter at Gabba, Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie and his teammates loudly appealed for Tendulkar to be out LBW, and Bucknor obliged. When Tendulkar tried to leave the ball while still to get off the mark, it hit him high on the pads, but Bucknor was persuaded by the Aussies’ appeal.
Later, television replays verified that it was evident the ball was going over the stumps. The late Tony Greig had called it “a dreadful” decision in the commentary box, and he wasn’t alone in that opinion at the time.
India captain Sourav Ganguly scored a brilliant 144 in the opening game of a four-match series, as the match ended in a draw.
Bucknor’s incorrect decision to hand Tendulkar out was not unique to that incident. Despite a feeble appeal, the Jamaican judged Tendulkar caught behind off Abdul Razzaq in a 2005 Eden Gardens match against Pakistan. However, replays revealed a big gap between the bat and the ball.
When Tendulkar was questioned about his relationship with Bucknor at a 2024 fan interaction, he humorously responded, “When I am batting, give him boxing gloves to wear (so he can’t raise his finger).”
In addition to officiating 128 Test matches between 1989 and 2009, Bucknor, 79, is the record holder for appearing in five straight World Cup finals between 1992 and 2007.
