Steve Bucknor, the iconic West Indian umpire nicknamed ‘Slow Death‘ for his measured and deliberate decision-making, faced significant backlash for two high-profile blunders involving Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
The decisions, made during crucial matches at the Gabba in 2003 and Eden Gardens in 2005, stirred outrage among fans and sparked widespread criticism of Bucknor, who was arguably the best umpire of his time.
The first major error occurred in the 2003 Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane. Tendulkar, one of the world’s top batters, was wrongly given lbw off Jason Gillespie while TV replays showed the ball was clearly going over the stumps.
The controversial decision cut short what could have been an important innings from Tendulkar, leaving Indian fans and the cricket fraternity fuming. This dismissal became a major talking point, with Bucknor being accused of denying a fair chance to one of the game’s greatest players.
The second notable blunder took place during a Test match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens in 2005. Tendulkar was given out caught behind off Abdul Razzaq. Tendulkar tried to drive a good length delivery which swung outside the off stump after pitching, but it did not have any contact with his bat.
Again, the decision proved crucial as it ended a promising innings by Tendulkar and shifted the momentum of the match. Indian fans and pundits were quick to lash out at Bucknor, calling for higher umpiring standards.
Bucknor’s slow and methodical style came under heavy scrutiny after these incidents, with some fans and experts suggesting it contributed to his errors.
Years later, Bucknor, who stood in a record 128 Test matches and five consecutive Cricket World Cup finals from 1992 and 2007, admitted to the mistakes and expressed regret, acknowledging the pressure umpires face and the human nature of errors.
Despite these controversies, Bucknor’s long career remains notable for his contribution to the game, though these blunders are often remembered by Tendulkar’s passionate supporters.