Steve Bucknor Admits LBW Call Against Sachin Tendulkar in Brisbane Was a Mistake

Former international umpire Steve Bucknor has acknowledged that his controversial leg-before-wicket decision against Sachin Tendulkar during the 2003-04 Brisbane Test was wrong, more than two decades after the incident that continues to divide cricket fans.

Now 79, Bucknor said the dismissal still follows him, particularly among Indian supporters, as one of the most debated umpiring calls involving the batting great.

'It Was a Mistake'

Speaking to the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor said he had come to terms with the error.
"Giving Sachin Tendulkar out leg before wicket - it was a mistake. Until this day, people talk about it," he said, adding that such moments remain part of an umpire's life. "Mistakes happen. I have accepted that it was a mistake, and life goes on."

The admission aligns with what television replays had long suggested - that the ball would have comfortably cleared the stumps.

The Brisbane Moment That Sparked It All

The decision came during the first Test between India cricket team and Australia cricket team in Brisbane. Tendulkar, in strong form at the time, had faced just three balls when Jason Gillespie delivered one that pitched outside off stump.

Tendulkar shouldered arms, the ball jagged back sharply and struck his pads. Amid loud appeals, Bucknor raised his finger almost immediately. Subsequent replays showed the delivery bouncing high and missing the stumps by a clear margin.

Commentator Tony Greig famously called it "a dreadful decision" on air, as Tendulkar walked off visibly stunned.

Part of a Wider Pattern

The Brisbane LBW became the most prominent of several disputed decisions involving Bucknor and Tendulkar across different series. Another flashpoint came in 2005 against Pakistan, when Tendulkar was given caught behind off Abdul Razzaq despite no visible bat contact.

These moments contributed to a long-held belief among Indian fans that key decisions often went against Tendulkar when Bucknor was officiating.

A Line That Captured the Tension

Years later, during a Reddit AMA, Tendulkar summed up the history with dry humour. Asked about Bucknor, he replied: "When I am batting, give him boxing gloves to wear." The remark quickly went viral, encapsulating years of frustration in one line.