England’s latest Ashes tour has turned into a bruising affair, with the team losing the series inside just 11 days and falling 0–3 behind with two Tests still to play. The scale and speed of the defeat have triggered renewed scrutiny of the team’s leadership and long-term direction, particularly after the early promise of the McCullum-Ben Stokes era appears to have stalled.
Speaking to journalist Ravish Bisht on his YouTube channel, Panesar argued that England may need to rethink their coaching strategy if they want to compete with Australia in their own conditions. According to Panesar, the challenge goes beyond tactics on the field and requires a coach who understands the mental and physical demands of winning in Australia.
“You have to think: who exactly knows how to beat Australia?” Panesar said during the discussion. “How do you take advantage of Australia’s weaknesses — mentally, physically and tactically? I think Ravi Shastri should become England’s next head coach.”
Panesar’s endorsement is rooted in Shastri’s proven track record. During his tenure as India’s head coach, Shastri oversaw historic success in Australia, guiding India to back-to-back Border-Gavaskar Trophy series victories. The 2018–19 triumph marked India’s first-ever Test series win on Australian soil, while the 2020–21 series win was widely regarded as one of the most remarkable achievements in modern Test cricket.
That second series victory came despite extraordinary adversity. India rebounded from being bowled out for just 36 in Adelaide and went on to win the series with a squad severely depleted by injuries, underlining the resilience and belief instilled during Shastri’s tenure.
McCullum, who was appointed following England’s 4–0 Ashes defeat in 2021–22, initially sparked a dramatic turnaround. Alongside captain Ben Stokes, he introduced an aggressive style of play that saw England win 10 of their first 11 Tests, revitalising the side and its fan base. However, recent results suggest that the momentum of that transformation has slowed, particularly against elite opposition in challenging overseas conditions.
While no official moves have been announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Panesar’s comments reflect a growing debate about how England can bridge the gap with Australia and reclaim competitiveness in the longest format of the game. With the Ashes once again slipping away, the pressure on England’s leadership — and the search for solutions — is unlikely to ease anytime soon.
About The Author
Comment List