Former Team India batsman Rahul Dravid has emerged as one of the leading contenders to become the next head coach of England in Tests following the dismissal of Brendon McCullum, who was sacked from his post on July 12.
The England Test cricket team is currently without a head coach and captain. Who will be the next head coach of the team? Several names are reportedly being considered as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) evaluates all the possible candidates.
Rahul Dravid is in the list of possible candidates to become the next coach of England
Rahul Dravid emerged as one of the possible candidates to succeed Brendon McCullum. According to the Daily Telegraph report, Dravid was included in the shortlist of candidates considered by the cricket board. However, he is unlikely to play a full-time role for the national cricket team.
Dravid’s name being in the list of possible candidates is logical as the ECB is looking for someone who has good knowledge of red-ball cricket. Rahul Dravid is considered one of the best players to play the longest format of the game. Due to his calm personality, he could be the ideal candidate to take over the reins from Brendon McCullum. But the former Indian batsman is unlikely to consider the position.
“Dravid has no desire to take up coaching full-time, but the England Test job would give him a chance to stay at home longer and help keep his favorite format of the game alive. At the very least, England should assess his interest,” the report said.
Why did ECB sack Brendon McCullum?
McCullum’s tenure as England’s Test coach ended after a 2–1 series loss against New Zealand at home. The cricket board backed the former New Zealand batsman to continue his job after the disaster of Ashes 2025-26, where the Three Lions lost 4-1 against arch-rivals Australia.
His job was in danger after the Ashes series, but somehow he managed to save his place. If England had defeated New Zealand in the 3-match Test series, the situation could have been different. As England suffered another Test series defeat, the ECB saw “the time is right to make changes” ahead of next year’s Ashes.
Brendon McCullum coached England for 49 Test matches, where the team suffered 27 wins and 20 losses. While the England national cricket team claimed 18 wins out of 28 matches at home, they had only nine wins in 21 Test matches, including series defeats in India (2023–24) and Pakistan (2024–25).
Andy Flower is also in the race to replace Brendon McCullum
With Rahul Dravid unlikely to accept the England Cricket Board’s offer, former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower remains the frontrunner to become England’s next head coach for the Test format.
Flower enjoyed considerable success during his first tenure as head coach of the team and the team reached the No. 1 position in the Test rankings. Under the guidance of Andy Flower, England won three Ashes series over Australia.