Karthik Questions Whether Andy Flower Can Combine England Test Job with RCB Role

Dinesh Karthik has voiced doubts about Andy Flower succeeding Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach while still holding his franchise roles. Flower currently coaches Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and London Spirit in The Hundred, and is considered one of the leading candidates for the England job.

ECB reportedly flexible

The Telegraph has reported that the England and Wales Cricket Board would even let Flower miss some Tests so he could honour his IPL commitments. Karthik feels that supporters and the wider game would struggle to accept such an arrangement.

Karthik’s concerns

Appearing on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Karthik said Flower deserves to be in the conversation but wondered if his schedule would let him fully commit to England’s Test programme. He recalled the criticism England received when Jacob Bethell and Jofra Archer missed Tests because of franchise duties, and suggested a head coach doing the same would provoke even more anger.

He stressed that England cannot afford to be without their coach at key moments, particularly with a home Ashes series approaching. Flower’s RCB contract, he noted, could clash with England’s fixtures, including a proposed series against Bangladesh next year.

Karthik still called Flower one of the best coaches in the world, but said the central question is whether he has enough time to do both jobs.

Other names in the frame

Several other figures have reportedly been linked with the vacancy: Kumar Sangakkara, Justin Langer, Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Fleming and Richard Dawson.