The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has always been full of drama. Over the years, the India-Australia series has seen numerous controversial moments, but one series that stands out is India’s 2008-09 tour Down Under.
This series is particularly remembered for the contentious Sydney Test, which featured thrilling moments, controversial on-field decisions, and the infamous incident involving Harbhajan Singh and the late Andrew Symonds.
While the ‘Monkeygate’ controversy between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds dominated the headlines, the umpires’ decisions also came under scrutiny due to several disputed calls.
Harbhajan Singh recently reflected on that Test, recalling how umpire Steve Bucknor made his debut for Australia during that series. The former international umpire controversially gave Symonds not out despite him clearly edging the ball to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
“There were a lot of edges but Bucknor saab didn’t give anything out. There were edges, there were appeals, and at one point Ricky Ponting caught one and gave it out himself,” Harbhajan Singh said while doing Hindi commentary for Star Sports.
“In that series, Bucknor made his debut for Australia. He played so well in that match for them. The only thing he was interested in was being the 12th man,” he added.
https://x.com/starsportsindia/status/1865346839274467601?s=46
Bucknor Acknowledged Making Umpiring Mistakes
In the 2008 Sydney Test, Steve Bucknor failed to refer a stumping decision to the third umpire. Replays clearly indicated that MS Dhoni had removed the bails in time to dismiss Andrew Symonds, who was out of his crease.
The Sydney Test featured several other umpiring mistakes. Mark Benson wrongly declared Ricky Ponting not out after the right-hander had edged a delivery from Sourav Ganguly down the leg side.
In the final innings, Michael Clarke took a low catch off Sourav Ganguly, but replays showed the Australian fielder had made contact with the ground before holding the ball. Ricky Ponting had famously raised his finger, leading the umpire to give Ganguly out.
In 2020, Steve Bucknor admitted to making a few errors during that Test.
“I made two mistakes in the Sydney Test in 2008,” he told Mid-Day.
“Mistake one, which happened when India were doing well, allowed an Australian batsman to get a hundred. Mistake two, on day five, might have cost India the game. But still, they are two mistakes over five days. Was I the first umpire to make two mistakes in a Test? Still, those two mistakes seem to have haunted me,” he added.
Steve Bucknor was ultimately dropped from officiating the third Test in Perth by the ICC. The umpiring mistakes contributed to India’s 122-run loss in the Sydney Test.
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