Sachin Tendulkar Told To Become England Head Coach; Asked To Replace Brendon McCullum

Sachin Tendulkar and Brendon McCullum [Source: AP, AFP]

The England cricket team suffered a demoralizing 1-2 series defeat to New Zealand at home earlier this week. The outcome marked England’s second successive series loss after their humiliating 1-4 Ashes drubbing in Australia back in January. 

With captain Ben Stokes bowing out of the international game after the result, the focus has inevitably turned towards head coach Brendon McCullum, who is under mounting pressure to revive England’s fortunes after another disappointing campaign.

As fans and cricket experts continue to call out McCullum amid his controversial tenure, a certain former England player has offered a unique suggestion to the ECB, one which involves former Indian batter and all-time great Sachin Tendulkar. 

David Lloyd asks Sachin Tendulkar to coach England 

While speaking with former England captain Michael Vaughan on the Stick to Cricket podcast, cricketer-turned-commentator David Lloyd suggested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to rope in Sachin Tendulkar as national head coach.

Also Read- Sachin Tendulkar Becomes The 1st Ever Indian Cricketer To Get This Honour

Lloyd believes that Tendulkar is an ideal candidate to replace Brendon McCullum, who's so-called ‘BazBall’ era for England has seemingly reached its breaking point.

The esteemed England commentator said “You know Sachin Tendulkar? You keep in touch with him. There might be a job going. He’s the man. Bring him in. Not finished and he knows the game.”

Brendon McCullum’s days likely numbered, despite contract extension

Brendon McCullum was appointed as England’s Test head coach back in May 2022, replacing Chris Silverwood. McCullum’s appointment also coincided with Ben Stokes becoming team captain in red-ball cricket. 

The duo ushered in a revolutionary no-holds-barred approach for the England Test team, soon to be known with the moniker ‘BazBall’. The English team started off this new era by pulling off four successive 250-plus run chases against New Zealand and India at home. 

England also secured a historic Test series win in Pakistan and New Zealand over the next few years. However, McCullum’s era has since lost its sheen, considering the Englishmen failed to win a series against their biggest rivals, Australia and India, either at home or away.

Successive series losses in Australia and to New Zealand at home further dented Brendon McCullum’s prestige legacy as head coach. 

Even though the former New Zealand captain is currently in charge of all three formats for England and got his contract extended till the 2027 World Cup, many fans and experts believe that recent results have put his long-term future under serious scrutiny.

Does Sachin Tendulkar hold any coaching experience?

While David Lloyd wants Sachin Tendulkar to take up England coaching, the legendary Indian batter hardly has any experience in that regard. 

The former Indian cricketer, however, has served the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL as its mentor. 

England to host India in white-ball series

Brendon McCullum is currently coaching the England team in their home white-ball series against Team India. The two sides are scheduled to face each other in five T20Is and three ODI matches between July 1 and July 19.

The first T20I went underway at the Riverside Ground on July 1. 

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