Next England Test Coach Race: Who will take over England’s Test team after McCullum’s leave? These 5 legends are ahead in the coach race, discussion on the names of Rahul Dravid and Ashwin intensifies on social media

The England Cricket Board (ECB) has recently taken a major decision after the 2-1 defeat in the home Test series against New Zealand and removed Brendon McCullum from the post of head coach of the Test team. Although McCullum will remain the head coach of the T20 and ODI teams, in view of England’s poor performance in red-ball cricket, the ECB is now preparing to make a new beginning by moving beyond the era of ‘Bazball’. In view of next year’s Ashes series (Ashes 2027) and the upcoming Pakistan tour, the search for England’s new Test coach has started on a war footing. In the British media and cricket circles, the names of the 5 biggest contenders (Top 5 Candidates) are leading in the race. At the same time, the biggest ‘surprise’ for Indian fans is that the names of former great Indian coach Rahul Dravid and veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are also being discussed heavily in this list. Let us know who are the 5 big contenders who can replace McCullum and what is the truth behind the names of Dravid-Ashwin. These 5 contenders who are leading in the race for coach (Top 5 Candidates) 1. Andy Flower – The biggest contender is Zimbabwe’s former great captain Andy Flower who is currently leading in the race to become the next Test coach of England. Record: Flower has been a very successful coach of England between 2009 and 2014, during whose tenure England became the number-1 Test team and won the Ashes three times. Catch: Flower is currently the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, where he has won the team title twice in a row (in 2025 and 2026). According to reports, he will become the coach of England only when he is allowed to continue working in the IPL. 2. Andrew Flintoff – Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, ECB’s first choice, has been learning the nuances of coaching with the England Lions (youth team) for some time. He has a huge stature in the domestic structure of ECB and is known for his aggressive cricket. 3. Jonathan Trott – Emerging name Former England batsman Jonathan Trott had done a brilliant job as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team, after which he has publicly expressed his desire to coach the England team. 4. Richard Dawson – Strategically strong, the current head coach of Glamorgan and former England Lions coach Richard Dawson is also a part of this shortlist. He is very popular in the English county circuit for his excellent tactical acumen. 5. Justin Langer / Kumar Sangakkara The names of former Kangaroo coach Justin Langer, who won the T-20 World Cup and Ashes for Australia, and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara are also being considered within the ECB. Will Rahul Dravid or Ravichandran Ashwin become a ‘surprise’? What is the update on Rahul Dravid? Between the Duleep Trophy and the Indian domestic season, a report by the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph created a sensation, according to which Rahul Dravid’s name is included in the shortlist of England’s Test coach. Why there is interest: Dravid made the Indian team win the T-20 World Cup in 2024 and took it to the final of the 2023 World Test Championship. The world admires his ‘meticulous’ (extremely precise and disciplined) coaching style. What is the reality: According to the report, Dravid does not want to do full-time coaching (all three formats), but this post of England is only for the ‘Test team’. Test cricket has been Dravid’s favorite format and it will also give him a chance to spend a lot of time at home in the year. However, no official statement has come from Dravid’s side on this yet. Why is the name of Ravichandran Ashwin discussed? After McCullum’s departure, memes and demands to make Ravichandran Ashwin the Test coach of England are becoming increasingly viral on social media (especially X and Reddit). What is the reality: Cricket pundits believe that Ashwin’s cricketing mind is very clever and strategic. However, Ashwin is currently actively playing international cricket for the Indian team, so it is practically impossible to become his coach. The discussion on his name is purely a part of an imaginary and interesting debate being conducted by his fans and cricket lovers on social media. The England Cricket Board can announce the name of the new Test coach before the Pakistan tour starting from August 19. It will be interesting to see whether the ECB bets on an old experienced face like Andy Flower or makes a big bang in the form of Rahul Dravid.