Watch: Dinesh Karthik on Andy Flower's England Test coach chances

The former Indian wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik, has doubted whether Andy Flower would leave the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coaching role and join England as the head coach of the Test side, replacing Brendon McCullum, who stepped down from the role and will continue to coach the white-ball side.

The former England captain, Nasser Hussain, has publicly backed Flower to take up the red-ball coaching role after a disappointing run in the longest format. He felt that England would require the meticulous attention to change the dynamics of the Test team.

What did Dinesh Karthik say about Andy Flower replacing Brendon McCullum?

Karthik, who worked closely with Flower during his RCB stint in the IPL 2026 title-winning campaign, feels that the former Zimbabwe star’s packed coaching calendar would make it really critical for him.

Watch Dinesh Karthik's words on Andy Flower here-

“In all seriousness, I think he'll be a great candidate. 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.” The former wicket-keeper said in the Sky Cricket Podcast.

“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?” He revealed.

Karthik informed that Flower has built his coaching career around the world in franchise cricket, which provides him enough breaks in between the events. The issue with the entire situation will be the Indian Premier League’s business end overlapping with England’s start of the Test summer.

“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?” Kartik added.

“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. 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.” The Chennai-born shed light.

Andy Flower's coaching record: From England's 2010 T20 World Cup win to RCB's back-to-back IPL titles

Flower’s coaching CV has been really successful, winning the T20 World Cup 2010 final, and that was followed by winning three successive Ashes in 2009, 2010/11, and 2013. England won their Test series in India to break the shackles in spinning conditions, which was a big plus.

Flower, in 2019, won the Abu Dhabi T20 league with Maratha Arabians, which was followed by lifting the trophy in 2021 in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with the Multan Sultans. A year later, they won the Hundred with the Trent Rockets.

In 2023, Flower was a staff member of Australia when they won the WTC 2021-2023, besides retaining the Ashes. He was in the same role when they won the ODI World Cup 2023. And in the present, he is a two-time IPL winner in successive years for RCB, along with the ILT20 trophy win for the Gulf Giants.