Ashes Collapse Puts McCullum Under Pressure, Panesar Backs Ravi Shastri for England Coach

England’s disastrous 2025–26 Ashes tour has pushed head coach Brendon McCullum under heavy pressure, with the team already trailing 0-3 and losing the series inside just 11 days.

The defeats have raised serious questions about McCullum’s future and the Bazball style, which once promised fast results but has struggled badly in Australia.

England began McCullum’s tenure with an impressive run, winning 10 of his first 11 Test matches. That early success, however, has faded quickly over time.

Since then, England have failed to win a five-Test series against either Australia or India. In their last 33 Tests, they have lost 16 matches and won far fewer than expected.

The current Ashes defeat has been particularly damaging, as Australia wrapped up the series with ease and exposed England’s flaws with bat, ball, and tactics.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes a major change is needed if England want to compete with Australia in future Ashes series.

Panesar has suggested former India head coach Ravi Shastri as the ideal man to replace McCullum if England decide to move on.

Panesar pointed to Shastri’s record of leading India to two historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy wins in Australia in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

“You have to think who exactly knows how to beat Australia,” Panesar said while speaking to journalist Ravi Bisht on his YouTube channel.

“How do you take advantage of Australia’s weaknesses, mentally, physically, and tactically? I think Ravi Shastri should become England’s next head coach,” he added.

McCullum, meanwhile, has said he wants to continue in the role but admitted that his future is uncertain after another heavy Ashes setback.

He is currently contracted with the England and Wales Cricket Board until the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will also include the next Ashes series in England.