Tendulkar was given out wrongly by Bucknor off the bowling of Gillespie.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra revealed how Virender Sehwag angrily asked renowned umpire Steve Bucknor to retire after his controversial out decision against legendary Sachin Tendulkar during India’s tour of Australia in 2004.
During the Brisbane Australia v India Test on that tour, Bucknor gave Sachin Tendulkar out LBW for a 3-ball duck off Jason Gillespie, even though replays showed the ball was bouncing well over the stumps. The Jamaican umpire apologised for the call decades later, admitting it was obviously incorrect.
According to Aakash Chopra, while fielding at square leg, Sehwag struck up a discussion with Bucknor before hitting a spectacular one-liner.
“Whatever Sachin Tendulkar wanted to say, Viru (Virender Sehwag) would pass on as messages. He was standing next to Steve at square leg and asked, ‘Steve, how old are you?’ Steve said, ’52’ or ’53’, whatever it was. Viru then said, ‘Steve, you can’t hear, you can’t see; you should retire,” Chopra said on JioHotstar’s Cheeky Singles.
Chopra said that he thought Sehwag's remarks would backfire, but the former opener seemed unmoved.
“So, I asked Viru, ‘Are you mad? He’ll give you out!’ He replied, ‘He’s giving Tendulkar wrong advice anyway. If he’s going to keep giving wrong decisions, what’s the difference? At least let me speak my mind! 'Chopra added.
Former India pacer Umesh Yadav also related amusing tales of his encounters with umpires, stating that when players disagree with rulings, they sometimes turn to lighthearted banter.
“Normally, when you’re playing, and you feel the umpire is doing something intentionally, you also end up doing a few things intentionally, just to annoy the umpire! Sometimes, when you’re bowling, and the batter says something to you unnecessarily, you’ll say, ‘Sir, can’t you see? Do you want to wear glasses? I hope fog hasn’t settled on them. I hope you didn’t fall asleep!’ So, you end up doing those cheeky kinds of things,” Yadav added.