"Not fit as a red ball coach" - Former India opener slams Brendon McCullum ahead of Ashes 2025-26 4th Test in Melbourne

Former India opener Sadagopan Ramesh has raised questions over Brendon McCullum's capability as a red-ball coach as England find themselves 0-3 down in the Ashes 2025-26 series. Ramesh candidly stated that McCullum is not fit for the role as he has tried to insert the T20 style of batting in Test matches.

The aggressive style of play rewarded England when it first started but has since been brutally exposed, especially in overseas series. Having lost in India and Pakistan in 2024, the Englishmen's reckless style has found them wanting in the Ashes series in Australia. The Aussies have retained the urn in 11 days with two Tests to go.

Speaking in a video uploaded on Instagram, the 50-year-old Ramesh stated that former cricketers should never insert their own style of batting while coaching teams.

"Brendon McCullum was a good cricketer but is not fit as a red-ball coach. The reason is tried to fit the T20 style of batting in Test matches to make it to Bazball. Now, England is playing as if that’s the only style they know of. Former cricketers should never insert their style of play and must think according to what the format needs," said Ramesh.

Ramesh also explained how one-dimensional cricket has cost England the Ashes, elaborating:

"Leaving aside the off-field things, the reason why England are struggling is because they are playing one-dimensional cricket. Suppose if you have a vehicle and if you decide to ride it at 100 km all the way to the destination, the vehicle will not last long. Vehicles have something called a break and must be used from time to time. Roads will have left or right turns and various signals and the main weapon to use is break. If you ride it without breaks and keep hitting trees on the way, that’s what Bazball has done to England."

The first Test in Perth ended only in two days as England were bowled out twice, lasting 66.9 overs. With 205 to win for Australia, Travis Head belted a hundred to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The tourists fought well in Brisbane and Adelaide but Australia won key moments to leave England winless in their last 18 Tests Down Under.

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"WTC mace made will never fall into your hand" - Ramesh Sadagopan warns Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum during a practice session. (Credits: Getty)

Ramesh pointed out how Rahul Dravid didn't force India to adopt a conservative style of batting and his fearless approach helped them win the T20 World Cup. He added:

"The shining example of that is Rahul Dravid, The Wall. He was called the pillar of Test-match batting. Under his coaching, India won the T20 World Cup. The primary reason is he knows his style of play but he urged the players to play fearlessly and with freedom. It’s very important. What Brendon McCullum is doing is trying to squeeze the T20 style batting in Tests. The shots played can make the ball land into the crowd but the WTC mace made will never fall into your hand."

McCullum's position as coach could be unteneble if England end another Test tour of Australia winless. The fourth Test will commence on Boxing Day on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with England wielding the axe on Ollie Pope and naming Jacob Bethell to take the number 3 spot instead.

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Edited by Sooryanarayanan Sesha