Monty Panesar backs Ravi Shastri as England’s next head coach amid Ashes turmoil

England are all set to play the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes series against Australia at the MCG, scheduled to kick off on December 26, 2025. But so far, this has been a disastrous tour for the visitors. After losing all of the first three games, England have already lost the series, and now questions have started to rise over the future of England head coach Brendon McCullum.

Now, ahead of the Boxing Day Test, former England international Monty Panesar has suggested that former India head coach Ravi Shastri would be a perfect fit for the current England side going forward if McCullum is removed.

While speaking to journalist Ravi Bisht, he said: “You have to think: who exactly knows how to beat Australia? How do you take advantage of Australia’s weaknesses, mentally, physically, and tactically? I think Ravi Shastri should become England’s next head coach.”

Under Ravi Shastri’s tenure, India’s Test team performed brilliantly as they defeated Australia twice in Australia and created history. On the other hand, since McCullum began his tenure as head coach, England have now lost more Tests (13) than they have won (12). However, after the third Test loss in Adelaide, McCullum sounded uncertain about his future during a media interaction.

“I’ll just keep trying to do the job” - McCullum

He said: “I don’t know. It’s not really up to me, is it? I’ll just keep trying to do the job, try to learn the lessons we haven’t quite got right here, and try to make some adjustments. Those questions are for someone else, not for me.”

“It’s a pretty good gig. It’s good fun. You travel the world with the lads and try to play some exciting cricket and achieve things. For me, it’s about trying to get the very best out of the people and accomplish what you can with them. Those other decisions are up to other people. But from my point of view, I’m enjoying the time I’ve got with these guys, and I think we’ve made some progress from when I took over to where we are. We’re not the finished article, but we’ve definitely improved as a cricket team. We’ve developed an identity. Now’s the time in these last two Tests to really show that identity and try to salvage something from the series,” McCullum further added.

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