Steve Bucknor, the legendary West Indies umpire, has admitted to making a mistake when he gave Sachin Tendulkar out leg before wicket during the 2004 Brisbane Test against Australia. Speaking to the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor candidly reflected on the decision, stating that errors happen and that he has accepted it.
The incident occurred when Tendulkar faced Jason Gillespie and was struck on the pads by a ball that appeared to be climbing over the stumps. With no Decision Review System (DRS) at the time, the dismissal stood, and Tendulkar was out for a three-ball duck. The decision sparked widespread debate, with commentators like Tony Greig calling it “dreadful,” and it remains one of the defining moments of the series.
Bucknor, who officiated over 120 Tests and several World Cups, also had other contentious moments with Tendulkar in later matches, further fueling discussion about pre-DRS controversies. His admission sheds light on the human element of cricket umpiring in the era before technology-assisted reviews.
