This video can not be played India through as England miss out on T20 final by seven runs. As a jubilant Mumbai crowd drifted away into the night, Brendon McCullum stepped from his first interviews following England's epic defeat by India at the T20 World Cup.

He headed to his downbeat captain Harry Brook, who was slouched by the boundary edge. There the pair shared a tight embrace – a goodbye of sorts. With England's World Cup over, Brook and McCullum will go their separate ways over the weekend - Brook back to Yorkshire and McCullum to New Zealand.

The question is, was that farewell for now or something more long-lasting? Was it a farewell that would end one of the most discussed and debated eras in English cricket? McCullum has been in this game long enough to know he would be asked again about his future when this campaign reached its end.

"I'm enjoying the role across all formats and I'd love to carry that on," he said unprompted. If only things were that simple. McCullum would 'love' to remain England head coach.

India beat England in epic semi-final despite Bethell ton. This defeat brings to an end England's winter – one that began in Wellington and ends at the Wankhede, via a trip to Australia. An Ashes defeat, more humiliating headlines than wins, and now three months for suits to ponder what comes next before England play their next fixture, the first Test of the summer on 4 June.

Richards Gould and Thompson, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief executive and chair respectively, have been in Mumbai this week and it is that pair who have McCullum's future in their hands. A review, announced before the dust had settled on defeat in Sydney, continues in the background and McCullum, who is contracted until the 2027 home Ashes and the 50-over World Cup that follows in the autumn, will be given time off before being asked to give his say.

Gould has had opportunity to back McCullum publicly over recent weeks. That he did not points to the complexity of the decisions ahead, and quite possibly hints at something more. "It's a great job because I'm working with some of the most talented players in the world with an organisation that is very well structured, well run and well supported by the fans," McCullum said in Thursday's aftermath. He did not sound like a man who had already been told he was safe in his job.

What is clear is this white-ball outfit still plays for McCullum. England conceded more runs than ever before after winning the toss in Mumbai – a position from which previous sides in English colours have folded. It was on this ground during the 50-over World Cup in 2023 that England shipped 399 runs against South Africa, under the captaincy of Jos Buttler and the brief coaching tenure of Australian Matthew Mott.

That England took this match to the wire, rather than losing by a margin akin to the 229 runs that day, is a credit to this set-up. The previous regime often appeared muddled. This one is at least clear in the attacking play it believes in.

Brook and McCullum have also kept spirits high on this trip, an impressive feat given what had come before. The tour began with Brook standing up in front of the group in a Colombo hotel and apologising to his team-mates for his Wellington escapades. In the end he took the blame again, but this time for a dropped catch rather than any trip into the night. Brook's drop of Sanju Samson should not distract from a definite improvement in fielding during this tournament, under the eyes of rehired fielding coach Carl Hopkinson.

A slapdash approach to training was another accusation made in Australia but here England have trained hard, often longer into the night than expected. And while that should be seen as par for the course, McCullum and Brook also deserve credit for their tactical calls on this trip.
Liam Dawson and Sam Curran were recalled to relative success, while Will Jacks excelled in a new role as a finisher.

Brook played the innings of his T20 career after McCullum suggested moving to number three. But doubt clearly remains whether that is enough to save McCullum, having taken England to a point viewed as the bare minimum before a ball was bowled. Having your future hinge on a World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai is the toughest of schools but this was a situation of McCullum's making.

It was he who oversaw the Ashes planning that did not include a warm-up game, and allowed the mid-series trip to Noosa. It was on McCullum's watch Brook, Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue felt able to visit a nightclub the night before an international fixture. Just how bad the Ashes were should not and can not be forgotten.

Other key stakeholders are managing director Rob Key and Test captain Ben Stokes, who are both back in the UK after beginning the week stranded in the United Arab Emirates with England Lions. Key spent time around the squad during this tournament and his position will also be discussed by those above. Stokes is the most secure, though he and McCullum appeared conflicted in their messaging at times in Australia.

Stokes batted 152 balls for 50 runs in Brisbane and called for his team to "show a bit of dog" in Adelaide but when another defeat came five days later, thus confirming Australia would hold onto the urn, McCullum spoke of his disappointment that England had drifted from their attacking style of play.

Despite that, Stokes backed McCullum before and after the fifth Test in Sydney when he could have been more vague. Brook was also steadfast in his defence of McCullum on Thursday night, saying the former New Zealand captain was "125%" the man to continue. "The things he's done over the four years since he took over has changed English cricket for hopefully the best," Brook said. "He's the best head coach I've ever had."

Critics would say it is no surprise players would back a coach whose key philosophy is a relaxed environment. There is plenty to be considered over the weeks ahead. McCullum wants to stay and his players still believe in him. Will that be enough?

TMS podcast: England fall just short in high scoring semi-final thriller.