Former West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor has admitted he made a mistake when he judged Sachin Tendulkar’s leg in front of the wicket during the 2004 Gabba Test against Australia.
In an interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Association, the 79-year-old addressed the controversial call with rare candor.
“To give Sachin Tendulkar a leg in front of the wicket and it’s about knowing it was a mistake, but to this day it’s talked about every day,” Bucknor said. “Why did I release him? Was he out and all? But then mistakes happen in life. I accepted it was a mistake and life goes on.”
The incident occurred during India’s 2003-04 tour of Australia in the Brisbane Test at the Gabba. Tendulkar, then at the peak of his powers, was dismissed for a three-ball duck.
Faced with Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie, Tendulkar shrugged his arms to bounce off the off-stump and came to a screeching halt. The ball hit him high on the pads, prompting a loud challenge from Gillespie, keeper Adam Gilchrist and the nearby fielders. Bucknor raised a finger almost immediately.
The records indicated that the ball was climbing and probably going over the stumps. Former captain Tony Greig described it as a “terrible decision” in the commentary. However, at that time there was no system of review of the decision and the verdict was valid.
The dismissal became one of the defining flashpoints of the series, although India went on to draw the 2003–04 contest 1–1, highlighted by Rahul Dravid’s heroics in Adelaide.
It wasn’t the only controversial moment involving Bucknor and Tendulkar. In the ensuing clash between India and Pakistan, Bucknor adjudged that Tendulkar caught Abdul Razzaq off guard despite the records suggesting there was no advantage, fueling the debate further.
Tendulkar responded to the controversy in his characteristic style. When asked about Bucknor once, he said with a smile, “When I bat, give him boxing gloves.”
Bucknor appeared in more than 120 Tests and several World Cups, earning a reputation as one of the most experienced umpires of his era. His admission brings renewed focus to a moment that remains a reminder of cricket’s pre-DRS era, when the umpire’s decision was final.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 24, 2026
