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England's Head Coach Race Gets Interesting; Ravi Shastri No Longer An Option

Sakshi Sharma

Brendon McCullum and Ravi Shastri (Source: AFP)Brendon McCullum and Ravi Shastri (Source: AFP)

England's search for a new Test head coach has taken another major turn, with former India head coach Ravi Shastri no longer in contention for the role. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently decided to end Brendon McCullum's tenure as Test coach following a disappointing run of results, including a 2-1 home series defeat against New Zealand.

After McCullum's departure, several experienced coaches were linked with the position. Among the biggest names were India’s former head coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. 

However, fresh reports suggest that neither of them is currently being considered for the role.

Ravi Shastri No Longer In England Test Coach Race

The possibility of Ravi Shastri taking over England's Test side generated significant interest among fans. His experience of coaching India in overseas conditions and his aggressive approach made him one of the early names linked with the role. 

However, the former India coach is now reportedly out of the race.

According to The Times of India -  “Former India head coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid are not in contention for the role. While both highly respected figures were briefly linked with the vacancy, neither is part of the ECB’s current recruitment process.”

It is important to mention that Shastri served as India’s head coach from 2017 to 2021. His role ended after the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. During his tenure, India recorded memorable overseas Test victories, including historic series wins in Australia.

Also Read: Rahul Dravid Emerges As Leading Candidate To Become England Test Coach

Another experienced coach, Andy Flower, has also ruled himself out of the race. The RCB head coach was reportedly in discussions with ECB managing director Rob Key, but he later confirmed that he is no longer interested in taking up the role.

Why Did England Part Ways With Brendon McCullum As Test Coach?

The ECB's decision to remove Brendon McCullum followed a difficult period for England’s Test side. Despite making a bright start after taking charge in 2022, England struggled to maintain consistency in recent months.

McCullum and former captain Ben Stokes transformed England’s style of Test cricket with an attacking approach that produced immediate success. However, performances declined sharply over time. 

If Not Ravi Shastri Who Will Replace Brendon McCullum As England’s Test Coach?

With England scheduled to host Pakistan in a three-match Test series, the ECB is expected to appoint a new Test coach soon. The first match of the Pakistan tour of England 2026 will be played from August 19 to 23 at Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds. 

The second Test match will be played at the Lord's Cricket Ground from August 27 – 31. The third match will start on September 9 at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham.

With Ravi Shastri's name already out, former Australia head coach Justin Langer has emerged as one of the strongest contenders for the position.

Although no official appointment has been announced, the ECB is expected to speed up the appointment process to ensure the new coach has enough time to prepare the team for the Pakistan series.

Also Read: Jacob Bethell Out Of The Hundred 2026 With Fresh Injury