Steve Bucknor regrets giving Sachin Tendulkar out, admits it was ‘a mistake’ he had to live with throughout his career

Bucknor adjudged Tendulkar out incorrectly on multiple occasions, but one of his most infamous howlers against Sachin came during a Test between India and Australia. Bucknor ruled Tendulkar LBW after an appeal from Jason Gillespie, despite replays later suggesting the decision was highly debatable, as the ball would have flown above the stumps. In the series opener of the 2003/04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Tendulkar, then at the peak of his powers, was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first innings after Bucknor raised his finger almost instantly following a loud appeal from Gillespie, wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, and the rest of the Australian fielders.

“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,” Bucknor said in an interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association.

“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,” he added.

How did the dismissal come about?

On a bouncy surface at The Gabba, Tendulkar attempted to leave the delivery but was struck on the pads. After the appeal, Bucknor raised his finger, clearly misjudging the bounce. Tendulkar had misread the movement, shouldering arms to a ball that pitched outside off and jagged back sharply to hit him in line, but was visibly stunned, struggling to believe the call had gone against him.

On commentary, the late great Tony Greig echoed that disbelief, immediately terming it a “dreadful decision.” Replays later showed the ball was climbing well above the stumps, confirming it as a major error that ended Tendulkar's stay quickly.

“That is a dreadful decision. Have a look at this, look at the bounce and movement,” said Greig.

Click here to read article