England Considers Ravi Shastri as Test Coach Amidst Ashes Debacle

England's recent defeat in the Ashes 2025-26 series has intensified scrutiny on head coach Brendon McCullum, prompting discussions about potential replacements. The series loss against Australia has raised concerns about England's performance in major Test series, particularly their inability to secure victories against India and Australia both at home and abroad under McCullum's tenure since 2022.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has suggested that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) consider hiring Ravi Shastri as the Test coach. Panesar argues that Shastri's prior success in Australia makes him an ideal candidate. Shastri previously led India to two Test series victories in Australia, in 2018/19 and 2020/21, the latter achieved despite significant player injuries and Virat Kohli's absence due to paternity leave.

Panesar emphasized Shastri's understanding of the game and his ability to connect with players. He noted that Shastri's experience in securing wins in Australia is invaluable, given England's infrequent success there. Panesar proposed a two-year assignment for Shastri focused solely on winning the Ashes in England, tasking him with developing a team and strategy specifically for that goal. This would involve integrating high-performing county cricketers into the national team and introducing a new, Indian perspective to English cricket.

Panesar also echoed Alastair Cook's sentiments regarding the disconnect between the England team management and the county system. He criticized the current selection policy, which he believes prioritizes potential over consistent county performance, citing examples of players being selected without substantial first-class experience. He suggested that Shastri could bridge this gap by evaluating county performances and integrating successful players into the national setup.

The proposal centers on leveraging Shastri's proven track record in Australia and his understanding of the subcontinent's cricket dynamics to revitalize England's Test performance, particularly in Ashes series.

Editor’s note: This article was independently written by the Scoopliner Editorial Team using publicly available information.