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Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believes Andy Flower would be an outstanding choice to replace Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach, but feels it is highly unlikely that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach would walk away from his IPL commitments.
Flower has emerged as one of the early favourites for the role after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) parted ways with McCullum following a disappointing run in Test cricket. Former England captain Nasser Hussain has publicly backed Flower to return, arguing that England need the meticulous attention to detail that defined his previous spell in charge.
However, Karthik, who worked closely with Flower during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 title-winning campaign, believes the Zimbabwean’s packed coaching calendar makes such a move difficult.
“In all seriousness, I think he’ll be a great candidate,” Karthik said on Sky Sports.
“He definitely should be one of the names thought of, but I would be very surprised if he took it, considering where England are and his packed schedule as well.”
Karthik pointed out that Flower has built his coaching career around franchise cricket over the past few years and questioned whether England could realistically accommodate his existing commitments, especially with the IPL overlapping with parts of the international calendar.
“I read an article which said that England will be happy to accommodate IPL and then the rest of Test cricket, but with the schedule being the way it is… when Jacob Bethell didn’t come in for the first Test, Jofra Archer not being available, it kicked up a fuss, and there were plenty of people saying, ‘Why? How come one of the players is not there?'”
WHY CAN’T ANDY FLOWER LEAVE RCB?
Karthik said Flower’s existing contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru could become a major stumbling block if England decide to pursue him.
“With Andy Flower, with an already pre-signed contract with RCB, which would mean that he would miss parts of all those (Tests). Will it be okay for England in the preparation for the Ashes if they don’t have a coach for a Test match or two?” Karthik said.
“I heard there’s a Test match against Bangladesh in May next year, and if Andy Flower is doing RCB, that could be a challenge as well.”
While Karthik had no doubts about Flower’s credentials, he questioned whether the logistics would allow the former England coach to take up the role.
“Is he good? Definitely. He is probably one of the best in the world, if not the best. Will he have time? That’s the question. I would be very surprised if the answer is a yes,” he added.
ENGLAND GREATS WANT ANDY FLOWER
McCullum was removed from the Test coaching role after England’s form nosedived over the past year. Having won 11 of his first 13 Tests after taking charge in 2022, England lost eight of their final 12 matches, including a heavy 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, prompting the ECB to bring an end to the Bazball era.
Nasser Hussain has since urged managing director Rob Key to turn to Flower, who guided England to three Ashes series victories and the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings between 2009 and 2014.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould has confirmed that no formal approach has been made to any candidate yet, with the board expected to begin the recruitment process in the coming weeks. Gould also indicated that England would be open to appointing a coach who continues to work in franchise cricket if it meant securing the best person for the job.
Despite that flexibility, Karthik believes balancing the demands of the England Test team and a long-term IPL commitment with RCB would be extremely difficult, making Flower’s return to the England dressing room an unlikely prospect.
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