Former West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor remains one of the most controversial figures in cricket history, particularly in the eyes of Indian cricket fans.
Bucknor, who officiated in over 100 Test matches and numerous ODIs, was often criticized for his questionable decisions that appeared to go against India, including some high-profile mistakes involving legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.
One of the most infamous incidents came in 2003 at the Gabba, where Bucknor adjudged Tendulkar out LBW off an inside edge. The frustration of Indian fans reached its peak during the 2007-08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where several debatable calls by Bucknor seemingly tilted the series in favor of the hosts.
His umpiring during that series remains one of the darkest chapters in India’s cricketing history, leading to his eventual removal from officiating in the final Test of the tour.
Irfan Pathan Takes a Sarcastic Dig at Steve Bucknor
Retired Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took an indirect dig at former international umpire Steve Bucknor while responding to a social media post by Sachin Tendulkar on X (formerly Twitter). Tendulkar, known for his witty social media presence, shared a picture of himself standing in front of three massive trees with the caption:
“Can you guess which umpire made the stumps feel this big?”
The post, which was clearly hinting at Bucknor’s notorious umpiring blunders, quickly went viral among cricket fans.
Irfan Pathan joined in on the banter, replying:
“The one who would have run miles away from the cricket ground in the times of DRS. SB”
(SB referring to Steve Bucknor)
The one who would have run miles away from the cricket ground in the times of DRS. SB
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 16, 2024
Pathan’s cheeky response resonated with Indian cricket followers, who still recall the frustration of Bucknor’s umpiring decisions that played a role in India’s struggles in crucial matches. With the Decision Review System (DRS) now in place, many believe that several of Bucknor’s controversial calls would have been overturned had the technology been available during his tenure.
Steve Bucknor retired from umpiring in 2009, but his legacy remains a sore point for Indian fans who believe he unfairly influenced the outcome of multiple matches. While cricket has moved forward with improved officiating technology, moments like these remind fans of an era when umpires held unchecked authority over the game’s fate.