Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has reportedly emerged as a surprise candidate to succeed Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach, following the New Zealand great’s recent dismissal from the role.
According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, Dravid is among a shortlist of names being considered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as it begins the search for a new coach ahead of next year’s Ashes series.
The reported shortlist also includes former England coach Andy Flower and Glamorgan head coach Richard Dawson.
ECB begins search after McCullum’s exit
The ECB parted ways with McCullum after four years as England’s Test coach following a disappointing run in the format, which ended with a 2-1 home series defeat to New Zealand.
While McCullum remains in charge of England’s white-ball teams, the board decided a fresh direction was needed in Test cricket with a crucial Ashes campaign on the horizon.
During his tenure, England won 27 of their 49 Tests under McCullum. Much of that success came at home, where they won 18 of 28 matches, while overseas performances remained inconsistent, including series defeats in India and Pakistan.
Why Dravid is being considered
Dravid’s name has emerged because of his reputation as one of the game’s most respected red-ball minds.
The former India coach guided the national team to the 2023 World Test Championship final before ending his tenure with India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. He has also played a significant role in developing young talent through India A and the National Cricket Academy.
His calm approach, emphasis on preparation and deep understanding of Test cricket are believed to have attracted the ECB’s attention.
However, the report suggests Dravid is unlikely to take up the position.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 53-year-old currently has “no desire” to return to full-time coaching.
The report adds that England’s Test coaching role could offer a more balanced schedule than a full-time international assignment, allowing longer periods at home while remaining involved in his preferred format.
Several high-profile names in the mix
Former England coach Andy Flower is regarded as one of the leading contenders.
Flower enjoyed a successful spell with England, leading the side to three Ashes series victories and the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. Since leaving the national setup, he has established himself as one of the most sought-after franchise coaches, most recently guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to consecutive IPL titles.
Richard Dawson has also emerged as a serious candidate after impressing during his time with Glamorgan in county cricket.
The report further claims that several other prominent names are under consideration, including Kumar Sangakkara, Andrew Flintoff, Mike Hesson and former Australia coach Justin Langer.
Will Dravid return to coaching?
For now, Dravid’s inclusion appears to be more about the ECB exploring all available options than an indication that he is likely to accept the role.
After spending several years in demanding positions with the National Cricket Academy and the Indian men’s team, he has consistently indicated a preference for stepping away from full-time coaching.
Whether the ECB can persuade him to reconsider remains to be seen. As England prepare for another Ashes cycle, the appointment of McCullum’s successor will be one of the biggest decisions facing English cricket over the coming months.
