The Aryavarth Express
Luston (England): Former England spinner Monty Panesar has backed former India head coach Ravi Shastri as a strong candidate to guide England’s cricket team forward following their disappointing Ashes campaign.
Praising Shastri’s successful tenure with the Indian team, Panesar said the Indian legend understands how to prepare players and build a winning unit—qualities England could benefit from at this stage. He urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to consider Shastri either as head coach or in an advisory role.
“Ravi Shastri really understands how to prepare a team and build a winning unit. If he were to take on an advisory or head coach role with England, it could be very beneficial,” Panesar said, adding that Shastri’s approach to team-building and winning cricket could help England rediscover consistency.
Under Shastri’s guidance, India achieved historic back-to-back Test series victories in Australia during the 2018–19 and 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaigns—an achievement Panesar believes highlights his credentials.
Panesar also suggested that the result of the final Ashes Test in Sydney could influence the ECB’s thinking on the current coaching setup under Brendan McCullum. He noted that England may need a fresh voice moving forward.
“It will depend on the Test match in Sydney. After that, the ECB will decide whether Brendan McCullum’s approach is right. At the moment, several county players, including top run-scorers and wicket-takers, aren’t getting opportunities. A different perspective may be needed,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Ashes, Panesar stressed the importance of learning how to beat Australia. “Someone with a strong record against Australia, especially as a coach, is worth considering. Ravi Shastri’s mindset and experience could provide that extra edge,” he added.
Highlighting Shastri’s impact on the Indian team, Panesar said he transformed a side once seen as vulnerable into a formidable unit. Drawing parallels with England’s current situation, he suggested that new ideas could help address the lack of experience emerging from county cricket.
“If you keep hearing the same voices, you’ll keep getting the same results. A different voice could bring a different outcome,” Panesar said.
England, under McCullum, have won 25 and lost 17 of their 45 matches so far. Although they avoided a whitewash in the ongoing Ashes series in Australia, they have already conceded the five-match series 3–1, with the final Test set to be played in Sydney.
After three straight losses, England registered a consolation victory in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which ended inside two days on a bowler-friendly pitch that produced 36 wickets.
