‘It was a mistake’: Steve Bucknor regrets most controversial lbw decision against Sachin Tendulkar

New Delhi: Former umpire Steve Bucknor has admitted it was a mistake to give Sachin Tendulkar out in what was one of the most controversial lbw decisions in international cricket. Bucknor was one of the best umpires of his time, but is remembered for his numerous controversial decisions against Tendulkar and India.

Bucknor, who stood in over 120 Test matches and multiple ODI World Cups, continues to haunt millennial Indian fans to this day, thanks to some absolute howlers on the field. One of his most controversial lbw decisions came against Tendulkar during a Test match between India and Australia in Brisbane in 2003.

Tendulkar, who was at the peak of his career, was dismissed cheaply on just 3 runs in the game after being given out lbw by Bucknor following a loud appeal from Australian pacer Jason Gillespie and his teammates. The ball had hit Tendulkar high on his pads and was clearly going over the stumps, but Bucknor raised his finger.

The decision left Tendulkar stunned and till date continues to be one of the most controversial lbw decisions in international cricket. Now, 22 years later, Bucknor has admitted he wrongly gave Tendulkar out and that it was a mistake on his part.

“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, referring to the controversial lbw call.

“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.

I maintain that the man who dismissed Sachin Tendulkar on most occasions was Steve Bucknor. 🥲pic.twitter.com/Ui5LVzfojy

— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) August 26, 2025

How did the controversial dismissal take place?

The dismissal took place when Tendulkar was facing Gillespie during India’s innings in the Test match. The Master Blaster tried to leave a ball from the right-arm pacer but misread the line. The ball swung back a bit and hit Tendulkar plumb on his pads while his foot was out.

It was a shortish delivery, and the ball bounced a bit to hit Tendulkar high on the pads. It was clearly missing the stumps, but Bucknor ended up raising his finger after a loud appeal from the Australian players. Tendulkar was left stunned and clearly unhappy, but decided to walk away without letting his feelings be known.

Tony Greig, who was on commentary at the time, called it a ‘dreadful decision’ as replays showed the ball was missing the stumps by a good distance. Nonetheless, the howler from Bucknor meant Tendulkar was sent packing cheaply, falling victim to a wrong decision from the umpire. The decision from Bucknor went down as one of the most controversial lbw calls of all time.