Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has been chosen as the replacement for current English head coach Brendon McCullum following intense criticism following England’s dismal performance in the 2025-26 Ashes.
England is facing insults from all over the world, but their head coach Brendon McCullum seems unperturbed by the criticism. McCullum, who has always worked on his own, is not willing to compromise his strategies just for the sake of results.
England lost the Ashes after losing the first three games within a combined effort of just 11 days. Following this humiliation, McCullum’s tenure as England coach is under considerable scrutiny, and ECB board members are likely to debate his future.
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Amid the crisis for England, Ben Stokes and head coach, Brendon McCullum, former English spinner Monty Panesar has suggested a replacement for the English head coach, who he believes can turn around England’s fortunes against Australia.
Panesar described former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri as the ideal candidate to become the England coach. The ECB shuffles coaches as McCullum was also appointed after England’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Australia in the 2022 Ashes.
The duo of Ben Stokes and McCullum had rekindled England’s hopes in red-ball cricket with 10 wins from 11 matches and McCullum’s buzzball tactics serving as a revolution in the longest format of the game. However, their form has stagnated against major powers like Australia and India, where they have not managed to win a single five-match series.
Talking to Ravi Bisht, Monty Panesar said that Ravi Shastri is the ideal candidate for England at this time, because he knows how to defeat Australia on their own soil.
Panesar said, “You have to think: who really knows how to beat Australia? How do you exploit Australia’s weaknesses mentally, physically and tactically? I think Ravi Shastri should be the next head coach of England.”
Brendon McCullum holds on to England coaching role despite criticism
Despite the heavy criticism, McCullum has been relatively unaffected by the discussion. Like the England captain, he also wants to continue until his contract expires after the conclusion of the 2027 ICC World Cup, but also accepts that after the Ashes defeat, his future is no longer in his control.
McCullum said on his future with England, “I don’t know. It’s not really up to me, is it? I’ll just keep trying to work, try to learn the lessons I haven’t learned yet and make adjustments. Those are questions for someone else, not for me.”
McCullum also said that being the coach of the national team is a “very nice job” as it gives the opportunity to travel around the world and play some exciting cricket. He also took credit for the progress England has made from the time he came here to where they are today.
Ravi Shastri’s great success against Australia
Ravi Shastri is undoubtedly one of the most successful Test coaches in the world and under his reign India claimed the number one spot. First place in ICC Test rankings. The golden era of Indian cricket also comes during his reign.
Under Shastri’s leadership, India defeated the mighty Australian team not once but twice on Australian soil. This was also India’s first win on Australian soil, the first win in 2018/19, and then they retained the trophy in 2020/21.
Ravi Shastri’s reign was also full of ups and downs as there were moments when the team struggled with poor form, but what stood out in the Shastri era was the comeback. India had fought back even after the infamous 36-all-out in Adelaide and won the series.
Also read: “I’ll just keep…”: Brendon McCullum fears sack after Ashes defeat, but ECB’s hands are tied with £1 million payout
