Steve Bucknor makes stunning confession about giving Sachin Tendulkar out
Published - 24 Feb 2026, 12:22 PM | Updated - 24 Feb 2026, 11:34 PM
Table of Contents
Steve Bucknor, cricket is one of the most celebrated and discussed, to date, remembered for some of his drastic decisions against Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. On multiple occasions, the Jamaican umpire raised his finger against Tendulkar, which caused shockwaves.
After almost 22 years, Steve Bucknor confessed that his decision against Sachin Tendulkar in Gabba was a wrong call. Bucknor, now 79, stated that to date, he regrets the leg before the wicket (LBW) decision, which forced Tendulkar to leave the ground empty-handed.
Sachin Tendulkar returned for a duck because of Steve Bucknor's wrong call
Back in the 2003-04 season, India was touring Australia for the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Sachin Tendulkar then was at the peak of his form, and a major threat to the Australian bowling attack. Back in those days, the bowling line-up of Australia was considered one of the best in the world. However, the Indian batting line-up, involving Tendulkar, had the elements to put on a good fight.
India's plans took a jolt when the West Indies umpire, Steve Bucknor, issued an LBW decision against 'Master Blaster'. Sachin had to return for a three-ball duck. The right-handed batter tried to leave the ball delivered by the Aussie pacer Jason Gillespie.
The ball hit high on Tendulkar's left. As soon as the ball hit the pad, the entire Australian cricket team made a loud appeal to the umpire, and within seconds, Steve Bucknor decided to declare a LBW decision. The batter himself was in visible shock. But with no second option, Tendulkar had to leave the field.
Hawk-Eye showed the ball was not even near the stumps
The Hawk-Eye technology showed that the ball was about to travel way over the stumps. But the umpire's mind might have visualised the ball's projected path differently. Then the commentators on air instantly described the LBW call as 'drastic'. After over two decades, Bucknor openly acknowledged that he had taken the wrong call.
"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,” Steve 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.
Summary of the 2003-04 India vs Australia match
The match eventually ended in a draw, thanks to an elegant 144-run knock by then the Team India captain Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman's 75. After the first innings, India was in the driving seat, as they registered 409 in reply to Australia's 323. In the second innings, Australia declared their innings after scoring 284-3, supported by four half-centuries by their top 5 batters in the line-up. Opener Matthew Hayden displayed an aggressive 99-run knock.
The contest ended in a draw, as Indian batters remained strong on track at the end of the fifth day for 73 for 2.
Read More: Virat Kohli in Sahibzada Farhan’s crosshairs!! Pakistan star breaks silence on chasing King’s record
About the Author
This author is a member of Cricketaddictor who writes news and analysis related to cricket.
