Former India opener Aakash Chopra recalled Virender Sehwag’s audacious exchange with controversial former umpire Steve Bucknor during India’s tour of Australia in 2004, revealing how the swashbuckling
batter did not hesitate to voice his frustration over contentious decisions involving Sachin Tendulkar.
That year, in a Test at the Gabba, 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. Decades later, the Jamaican umpire expressed regret over the call, acknowledging it was a clear mistake.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s Cheeky Singles, Chopra said Sehwag struck up a conversation with Bucknor while fielding at square leg before delivering a memorable one-liner.
“Whatever Sachin Tendulkar wanted to say, Viru (Virender Sehwag) would pass on as messages,” Chopra said. “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 admitted he feared Sehwag’s comments would backfire, but the former opener remained unfazed.
“So, I asked Viru, ‘Are you mad? He’ll give you out!’ He replied, ‘He’s giving Tendulkar wrong decisions anyway. If he’s going to keep giving wrong decisions, what’s the difference? At least let me speak my mind!'”
Meanwhile, former India pacer Umesh Yadav also shared humorous anecdotes about his interactions with umpires, saying players occasionally resort to light-hearted banter when they disagree with decisions.
“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.”
