Steve Bucknor admits wrong LBW decision against Sachin Tendulkar after two decades, says mistakes happen in life

More than two decades after one of cricket’s most debated umpiring calls, former West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor has admitted that he made a mistake in giving Sachin Tendulkar out during the 2003–04 Brisbane Test between India national cricket team and Australia national cricket team. Tendulkar, then at the peak of his career, was dismissed LBW for just three runs after a loud appeal, a decision that stunned fans at the time and continues to be discussed even today.

Steve Bucknor recalls the controversial decision

Now 79, Bucknor was one of the most respected umpires in world cricket, having officiated in more than 120 Test matches and several World Cups. Yet, for many Indian fans, his name remains closely linked to a series of controversial decisions involving Tendulkar, often in high-stakes matches.

The Brisbane dismissal stands out as one of the most talked-about incidents. In that match, Tendulkar tried to leave a delivery, but the ball struck his pads. Following a strong appeal from the Australian side, Bucknor raised his finger, giving him out leg before wicket. The decision immediately surprised Tendulkar and drew strong reactions from commentators and fans.

Bucknor accepts his mistake

Speaking in an interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor acknowledged the error and said the ball would have missed the stumps.

“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.

“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.

What really happened on that delivery

During the incident, Tendulkar misread the delivery, leaving his arms across his body as the ball pitched outside off stump and moved back sharply. It struck his pads, prompting an appeal led by Jason Gillespie and the Australian team. Bucknor judged the ball to be hitting the stumps and gave the batter out.

However, television replays later showed that the ball would have passed well above the stumps, confirming that the on-field call was incorrect and had cut short Tendulkar’s innings.

Former commentator Tony Greig had reacted strongly at the time.

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

Even today, the Brisbane dismissal continues to be cited as one of the defining umpiring controversies involving Tendulkar, now officially acknowledged as an error by the umpire who made the call.