Few umpiring decisions in modern cricket have lingered as long as the finger that went up in Brisbane in 2003. More than two decades later, Steve Bucknor has conceded that his call against Sachin Tendulkar was wrong.
Speaking in an interview with the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Association, the former West Indies umpire admitted that the leg-before decision that dismissed Tendulkar in the 2003–04 Brisbane Test should never have stood.
Bucknor acknowledges the Brisbane error
Bucknor, now 79 and a veteran of more than 120 Test matches and multiple World Cups, was widely respected during his career for his calm presence in high-pressure contests. Yet his legacy in India remains closely tied to a handful of contentious calls involving Tendulkar — none more debated than the Brisbane LBW.
Reflecting on that moment, Bucknor said, “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. 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.”
His admission confirms what many fans and analysts argued at the time — that the delivery from Jason Gillespie would have missed the stumps.
The 2003 Brisbane Test dismissal revisited
The incident occurred during the first innings of the Brisbane Test between India and Australia in the 2003–04 series. India had already been reduced to 62/2 when Tendulkar walked in following Rahul Dravid’s dismissal.
Gillespie delivered a ball that pitched outside off and swung sharply back in. Tendulkar appeared to shoulder arms, but the ball struck him high on the pads, above the knee roll. The Australian side, led vocally by Gillespie and Adam Gilchrist, launched a loud appeal.
Bucknor raised his finger.
Tendulkar was dismissed for just three runs, a decision that stunned those watching and left the batter visibly shocked as he made his way back. Replays later suggested the ball’s height meant it would have comfortably sailed over the stumps.
On air, commentator Tony Greig did not hide his disbelief, saying, “That is a dreadful decision. Have a look at this, look at the bounce and movement,” as replays rolled.
The moment quickly became one of the most replayed umpiring calls of that era.
A decision that defined perception
Although India eventually drew the Brisbane Test — thanks in large part to Sourav Ganguly’s 144 — the LBW call remained a talking point long after the series ended.
It was not the only controversial decision involving Bucknor and Tendulkar. Over the years, there were other instances that fuelled frustration among Indian supporters, including dismissals that were later widely questioned.
For the younger generation, Bucknor may be remembered as one of the most experienced umpires of his time. For many Indian fans, however, the image of Tendulkar walking back in disbelief remains inseparable from his career.
Tendulkar’s light-hearted response
Despite the controversy, Tendulkar himself later addressed the subject with characteristic humour. During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session last year, he responded to a fan’s question about Bucknor by saying, “When I am batting, give him boxing gloves to wear (so he can’t raise his finger),”
The remark offered a lighter perspective on a rivalry that once triggered widespread debate across the cricketing world.
Why the Bucknor-Tendulkar moment still matters
The Brisbane LBW call stands as a reminder of how much the game has evolved. In 2003, decisions rested solely on the on-field umpire’s judgement. Today, review systems and ball-tracking technology significantly reduce the likelihood of similar errors in high-stakes Tests.
Yet even with technological safeguards now embedded in the sport, certain moments endure in collective memory. Bucknor’s candid reflection — 22 years on — reopens one of cricket’s most discussed chapters and reinforces a simple truth he himself articulated: mistakes happen.
And in this case, the game — and its followers — never quite forgot.
