Few umpires in cricket history have sparked as much debate as Steve Bucknor. The legendary West Indies official officiated hundreds of international matches and was widely respected for his calm presence on the field. Yet for many Indian fans, Bucknor’s name still evokes memories of controversial decisions involving Sachin Tendulkar—particularly one moment from the 2004 Test at the Gabba.

During that match between the India national cricket team and the Australia national cricket team, Australian pacer Jason Gillespie appealed for a leg-before-wicket decision against Tendulkar. Bucknor immediately raised his finger, ruling the Indian icon out LBW. Replays later suggested that the ball was clearly going over the stumps, making the decision one of the most talked-about umpiring errors of that era.

Tendulkar, visibly surprised by the call, had little choice but to walk back to the pavilion. The decision triggered strong reactions from fans and commentators, many of whom questioned the accuracy of the call. Even years later, the incident remains a recurring topic whenever discussions of controversial umpiring decisions surface.

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Steve Bucknor himself later admitted that the call was a mistake and acknowledged that it still follows him to this day. Reflecting on the moment, the former umpire said that people continue to bring up the incident whenever they meet him.

“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,” Steve Bucknor said while recalling the incident. “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.

The Gabba controversy was not the only occasion where Bucknor’s decision against Tendulkar drew criticism. A couple of years later, during an intense clash between India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team, Bucknor ruled Tendulkar out again following an appeal from Abdul Razzaq, despite the ball appearing to pass the bat without any edge.

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Years later, Tendulkar responded to the episode with his trademark humour. In a light-hearted remark, the “Master Blaster” joked that Bucknor should perhaps wear boxing gloves when he was batting. “When I am batting, give him boxing gloves to wear,” Sachin Tendulkar quipped.