Reports: Brendon McCullum to step down as KKR head coach after IPL 2022 to take up England coaching role

Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Brendon McCullum will leave the setup after taking up the head coach role for the England Test team. McCullum reportedly is the favourite to replace Chris Silverwood as the next England Test team coach and it will be the first assignment for the 40-year-old as a full-time head coach for a nation. McCullum has coached the Trinbago Knight Riders in Caribbean Premier League alongside taking KKR to the finals last year.

It has to be noted that McCullum was one of the most aggressive batters in his playing years and he still holds the record for the fastest Test century off just 54 balls in 2015/16 season against Australia. He has the highest score of 302 in the longer format and his mode of approach to the game has been transferred into his coaching style as well.

England, after facing a 0-4 loss in the Ashes last year, sacked Silverwood from the head coach position and Paul Collingwood was appointed as the interim head coach for the next Test series against West Indies. However, England yet again lost 0-1 in West Indies and the search for the full-time head coach role continued. While many names were discussed in the last few weeks, it has finally come down to McCullum and the official announcement is expected to come soon.

He informed us that he won’t be part of KKR going ahead: Sources

A KKR insider revealed that McCullum has already revealed in a meeting a few days ago about leaving the franchise after the current season to take up the head coach role for the England side. Interestingly, England is set to host New Zealand for a three-match Test series in June and McCullum will have to start his assignment against his birth nation.

“He informed us that he won’t be part of KKR going ahead as he will be taking up a job as England cricket team coach. He informed us during a team meeting a few days ago,” a KKR insider said as quoted by the Indian Express.