Coach Brendon McCullum’s job seems to be in danger after the poor performance of the England team in the Ashes series. Due to this poor performance, along with coach McCullum, captain Ben Stokes is also under criticism. A media report has revealed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given an ultimatum to Brendon McCullum. If McCullum fails to live up to the expectations, he can be removed from the post of coach.

According to The Telegraph, the ECB wants coach Brendon McCullum to make major changes in the environment of the England team. It was reported in the report that in the review to be held after the Ashes series, it will depend on the opinion of Ben Stokes whether Brendon McCullum will remain the coach of the England team or not.

It is not hidden from anyone that Ben Stokes has been giving full support to Brendon McCullum. Stokes had even said that the pairing of him and Brendon McCullum is the best to take England cricket forward in the near future. Stokes said that he has enjoyed working with Brendon McCullum very much.

England lost the Ashes series in just 11 days of play. In the first four Test matches, Australia had taken a 3-1 lead over England in the Ashes 2025-26 series. Even in the fifth test match, Australia has made a significant lead.

Due to the loss of the Ashes series, England’s hopes of reaching the final of the World Test Championship 2025-27 seem to be fading. On one hand, Australia is at the first position in the WTC points table, while England is at the seventh position.

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The fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England will start from January 4. The Australian team has already won the series, leading 3-1 after 4 matches. England coach Brendon McCullum is the target of critics for this poor performance. Even the demand to remove McCullum from the post of coach has gained momentum. But it seems as if the pride of English team captain Ben Stokes is still not broken.

Before the fifth Ashes Test to be held in Sydney, Ben Stokes said, “There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that Brendon and I are the best choices to take over the reins of the England team for the next some time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have worked with Brendon McCullum. I don’t think there will be any other person with whom I can take this team beyond its current position.”

Brendon McCullum took over as the coach of the England Test team in May 2022. After he became the coach, the ‘Baseball Era’ of the England team started. The England team initially got success by playing in baseball style and in the year 2024, Brendon McCullum was appointed the coach of the England team in all three formats, but he took over the post of coach of England in all three formats in January 2025.

The pair of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum had won 10 out of the first 11 test matches, due to which the expectations of the fans also started increasing. But after that there has been discontinuity in the performance of the England team. In the last 34 Test matches, England have won 16 matches and lost the same number of matches, while 2 matches have ended in a draw.

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In the first three matches of the ongoing 5-match Ashes series between England and Australia, the English team lost the series 3-0. Now the demand for change in the leadership of the team has intensified. Former English spinner Monty Panesar has said that the team needs a new thinking. He has suggested former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri as a possible successor to Brendon McCullum and Panesar said that Ravi Shastri knows how to win series in Australia.

Demand raised to make Ravi Shastri the coach

England Lost The Ashes 2025-26: Former England spinner Monty Panesar has talked about Ravi Shastri becoming the new head coach of England. He emphasized on Shastri’s proven track record against Australia and said that Shastri has the necessary tactical knowledge to win a high-pressure series in Australia.

Panesar said, ‘You have to think who knows the right way to defeat Australia? How will you take advantage of Australia’s mental, physical and strategic weaknesses? I think Ravi Shastri should become the next head coach of England. McCullum’s ‘baseball’ tactics, which had won praise for his attacking style, have come under intense scrutiny following England’s poor results both at home and away. Since the beginning of the year 2024, the English team has won 12 tests but also lost 13. This has raised concerns over the sustainability of McCullum’s methods and how effective this method is against top teams like Australia.

Ravi Shastri has won two series in Australia

Under the guidance of Ravi Shastri, India has won two test series in Australia. He won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Both times the scoreline of the series was 2-1. This remarkable success in Australia has led some former English players, including Panesar, to view Shastri as a coach who can exploit the weaknesses of the Australian team.

Will McCullum leave the post of head coach?

Meanwhile, amid the ongoing speculation, Brendon McCullum himself has expressed uncertainty about his future as the head coach of England. When asked about continuing his role for the English summer of 2026, McCullum said that the matter is not really in his hands. McCullum told the press, ‘I don’t know. It’s not really up to me, I’ll just keep trying to do my job, try to learn from the things we didn’t do well here and try to make some improvements. These questions are not for me, but for someone else.

The Ashes Series 2025-26: The England cricket team has not been able to win a single test match in Australia for the last 15 years. England last won a Test match on Australian soil in 2010-11. After this, 17 test matches have been played between England and Australia so far, in which the English team has failed to win even a single test match. Out of these 17 matches, the 15th defeat was in the day-night test played in Brisbane. However, the reason given by the team’s head coach Brendon McCullum for this defeat has surprised everyone. McCullum says that the team had prepared more than necessary for this match.

Ashes series 2025-26 account

The ongoing 2025-26 Ashes series between Australia and England started from Perth. In the first match of this series, Australia gave a crushing defeat to England in just 2 days. 12 days later, the second match was played in Brisbane with day-night i.e. pink ball. However, this match continued till the fourth day but the result remained the same as Perth Test. In this match, England had to face a shameful defeat by 8 wickets. At the same time, England suffered its 15th defeat out of 17 consecutive Tests on Australian soil, while 2 Test matches between the two teams have been drawn.

McCullum’s surprising statement after the defeat in Brisbane Test

After the defeat in the first two matches of the Ashes series 2025-26, England’s hopes of comeback are looking difficult and head coach McCullum is under question on this. As bad as England’s performance was in the Brisbane Test, coach Brendon McCullum gave an even more surprising statement. Speaking to the broadcaster after the defeat to the English team, McCullum said, “We probably Will drink beer at night. I think we had prepared more than necessary before coming into this match. We trained very hard for five consecutive days and sometimes when you are preparing for a competition, like we are, sometimes the most important thing is to feel fresh.”

“Leading into this Test match, I actually think we over prepared to be honest.”

– Brendon McCullum talks about England’s approach heading into Brisbane and whether it’ll change for Adelaide #Ashes pic.twitter.com/YII0f9slli

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 7, 2025

England left the practice match after a 12-day break

As far as England’s preparations are concerned, the first match of the series started on 21 November and ended on 22 November. After this, the second match started from 4th December i.e. during this time the English team got a break of 12 days. Even though McCullum talked about 5 consecutive training sessions, during this time England also had a chance to play a day-night practice match but the pair of Stokes and McCullum had decided to rest instead of taking part in it.

Captains Who Lost Their First Match In Tests, ODIs and T20Is: The first match as captain is very special for any player. Every captain wants to start his first match with a win, but there are some captains whose captaincy started with a defeat. When this defeat happens in all three formats (Test, ODI and T20 International), then it becomes an unwanted record. Recently, Indian batsman Shubman Gill has also joined this unwanted list. Before Gill, names of many legendary players are also included in this list. Here we are going to tell you about 7 such captains, who started their captaincy career with defeat.

7 captains who lost their first match in all three formats of international cricket

1. Virat Kohli (India)

India’s legendary batsman Virat Kohli is the first Indian captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

Test: In 2014, under Kohli’s captaincy, India had to face defeat in its first Test against Australia in Adelaide.

ODI: In 2013, India lost the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Kingston.

T20: Kohli’s team also lost in its first T20 match against England in Kanpur in 2017.

2. Shubman Gill (India)

India’s star batsman Shubman Gill is the second Indian captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

T20: Shubman Gill captained the T20 team for the first time in the T20 match played against Zimbabwe in Harare on 6 July 2024, in which India had to face defeat.

Test: Under Gill’s captaincy, India lost its first Test against England in 2025 at Leeds.

ODI: India also had to face defeat under Gill’s captaincy in its first ODI against Australia in Perth on 19 October 2025.

3. Stephen Fleming (New Zealand)

Stephen Fleming is the first New Zealand captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

Test: In 1997, New Zealand lost its first Test match against England under Fleming’s captaincy.

ODI: The team also had to face defeat in its first ODI match against Sri Lanka in 1997.

T20: Under Fleming’s captaincy, New Zealand also lost in its first T20 match against Australia in 2005.

4. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)

Brendon McCullum is the second New Zealand captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

Test: In 2013, New Zealand had to face defeat in its first Test against South Africa under McCullum’s captaincy.

ODI: In 2009, the New Zealand team also lost in its first ODI against India.

T20: In 2008, the team had to face defeat in its first T20 match against England under the captaincy of McCullum.

5. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is the only Pakistani captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

Test: In its first Test against New Zealand in 2021, Pakistan had to face defeat under the captaincy of Rizwan.

ODI: Pakistan team also lost in its first ODI against South Africa in 2021.

T20: In 2020, Pakistan had to face defeat in its first T20 against New Zealand under the captaincy of Rizwan.

6. Jason Holder (West Indies)

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder is the only West Indies captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

Test: In 2015, West Indies had to face defeat in their first Test against England under the captaincy of Holder.

ODI: The West Indies team also lost in its first ODI against South Africa in 2014.

T20: Under Holder’s captaincy, West Indies had to face defeat in their first T20 against South Africa in 2021.

7. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lankan opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan is the only Sri Lankan captain to lose his first match in all three formats of international cricket.

Test: In 2011, Sri Lanka had to face defeat in its first Test against England under the captaincy of Dilshan.

ODI: The Sri Lankan team also lost in its first ODI against India in 2010.

T20: In 2008, Sri Lanka had to face defeat in its first T20 against Pakistan under the captaincy of Dilshan.

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Brendon McCullum – New Zealand

Former New Zealand captain and dhakad batsman Brendon McCullum played a 123 -run knock against Bangladesh in 2012 in Palekele. In this innings of 58 balls, he hit 11 fours and 7 sixes. During this time his strike rate was more than 212. This record still makes him one of the most special wicketkeeper batsmen.

Muhammad Fahd – Turkish

Turkish wicketkeeper batsman Muhammad Fahd hit 120 runs off just 34 balls against Bulgaria in July 2025. This innings included 10 fours and 12 sixes. During this time his strike rate was 352.94, which is one of the most explosive innings in T20 history.

Phil Soult – England

In this list, the name of Phil Salt of England comes at number three. In December 2023, he scored 119 off 57 balls in Taroba against West Indies. His innings included 7 fours and 10 sixes and during this time his strike rate was 208.77. Phil Salt is one of England’s most aggressive batsmen.

Mohammad Shehzad – Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad played a brilliant innings of 118 not out against Zimbabwe on 10 January 2016 in Sharjah. He hit 10 fours and 8 sixes off 67 balls in this innings. His strike rate in this innings was 176.11. For Afghanistan, this innings could prove to be the turning point of any big match.

Leslie Dunbar – Serbia

Serbia’s wicketkeeper batsman Leslie Dunbar hit 117 runs off just 50 balls against Bulgaria in June 2022. This innings included 9 fours and 11 sixes. During this time his strike rate was 234.00. This innings was strengthening his identity in T20 International.

India vs England Test series remained exciting from the first match. The series concluded with the Oval Test, in which Team India registered a very close win by 6 runs. After that the topic of the Player of the Series has discussed. Actually, India vs England Test series got 2 players of the series as Shubman Gill and Harry Brook. Gill scored 754 runs in the series, while Brook scored 481 runs. After all, how was the Player of the Series selected in England? Here you will get the answer to this interesting question.

Who chooses the winner of the Player of the Series Award?

Many players in the India vs England series deserved the Player of the Series. In fact, the head coaches of both teams were given the opportunity to choose the Player of the Series in the recently concluded series. The choice was placed in front of Gautam Gambhir and Brendon McCullum to select the Player of the Series according to their respective. England coach Brendon McCullum chose Shubman Gill, who scored 754 runs in the series, chose the Player of the Series. On the other hand, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir took the name of Harry Brook, who scored just 481 runs in 9 innings of the series.

McCullum did not want to choose Gill as Player of the Series

Shubman Gill scored 754 runs in the series, the average was more than 75 and he also scored 4 centuries in the series. Gill was really one of the players entitled to the Player of the Series. But former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik later revealed that McCullum had decided by the end of the fourth day game that Shubman Gill is the player of the series for him. But on the fifth day, when Mohammad Siraj won India by 6 runs, McCullum changed his mind. However, in the end he named Gill in front.

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IND vs Eng 3rd Test 2025: Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, the Indian team created history by winning Edgbaston, now India vs England will be played at the third Test Lord’s Cricket Ground. The hosts are a bit scared about this, because of course India lost in the first Test, but in that too, Indian batsmen had rescued the sweat of England.

Right now the 5-match Test series between India and England is equal to 1-1. The third Test will be played at Lord’s from 10 July. Regarding this, England coach Brandon McCullum has made a demand regarding the ground pitch. Jofra Archer can play in the third Test, which has been included in the team after 4 years. He had been suffering from Kohli and back injury for a long time, he was included in the team before the second Test but had to return home due to personal reasons. Gus Atkinson has also been included for the third Test.

Gus Atkinson did not play in the first 2 Tests due to Hamstring, his return will strengthen the bowling of the team England. England landed with the same playing 11 in the initial 2 Tests but many changes are possible in the third match. The biggest concern of the host has been his bowling, the arrival of Archer and Atkinson will definitely give relief to Ben Stokes and Team.

Brendon McCullum made this demand

England’s head coach McCullum said that he wanted MCC’s main groundsman Carl McDermot to see more speed, bounce and swing on the pitch. He cited the World Test Championship Final, where Rabada was successful in swinging the balls of Cummins.

Talking to ESPNcricinfo, McCullum said, “It will be a kind of blockbuster. I think if the fast bowlers on the pitch get help, well bounced then it will be a great match.” Whereas earlier in both the Tests, the hosts had given priority to flat pitches, which supports their bezball cricket. The first Test was won by England by 5 wickets, while in the second Test, 336 runs had to be defeated by 336 runs.

Third Test will start from July 10

Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, India created history in Edgbaston, now his eye will be won and ending the 18 -year drought by winning the series. India won the last Test series in England in 2007. After that series won under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, a total of 4 series played in England, defeat in 3 and ended 1 on a draw.