Jacob Bethell has openly addressed the criticism surrounding his limited playing opportunities in the Indian Premier League, especially after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested he should return to county cricket. The young English batter’s recent career highlights include a crucial century in the final Test of the Ashes series at Sydney in January, which provided a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing tour for England.
He further cemented his reputation as a rising star by smashing an unbeaten 105 in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India in March, a knock that demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages. Since that high‑profile innings, however, Bethell has struggled to break into the playing XI of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. Over the course of six IPL matches, he has largely been a spectator, watching from the sidelines while head coach Andy Flower has opted for other overseas options such as Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and the fast‑bowling all‑rounder Josh Hazlewood.
The 22‑year‑old now finds himself in a familiar predicament: his IPL commitments are limiting his chances to showcase his talent in domestic cricket, a situation reminiscent of last season when his overseas stint delayed his start to the county campaign and allowed Ollie Pope to retain his place in the England line‑up. Cook has been blunt in his assessment, urging Bethell to consider a return to Warwickshire rather than "sitting on his a***" while not playing in India.
In a recent Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Bethell responded by saying there is no single correct path for a young player and reflected on his own experiences. He admitted that a period without competitive cricket after the India tour left him feeling "undercooked" for the final series, but also noted that after returning from the IPL the previous year he was in great form heading into the West Indies series. "I feel better now than I was a month ago after the World Cup," he said, "thanks to the time I’ve spent training with the squad here and the sheer standard of cricket in the IPL." Bethell emphasized that the IPL environment offers a unique learning curve, even for those not in the starting eleven.
"The tournament has a different vibe; everyone seems to raise their game subconsciously because of the quality of the opposition," he explained. He added that the impact‑player rule, which allows teams to rotate players beyond the traditional eleven, still provides valuable exposure and motivation for those on the bench.
The situation is not without precedent. England opener Ben Duckett recently declined a contract with the Delhi Capitals to return to Nottinghamshire and secure his Test place, a move that highlights how players sometimes prioritize national ambitions over IPL fame.
Nevertheless, Bethell’s contract with RCB is financially significant—reportedly worth around £250,000—and he acknowledges the pressure that comes with constant scrutiny. "There are hundreds of eyes on you, coaches, teammates, and fans with phones recording every movement," he said.
"Even the net sessions feel intense because everyone is watching to see if you can deliver." While Bethell concedes that he does not get as many match‑day minutes as he would in the County Championship, he believes the high‑pressure practice environment is beneficial. "We have practice matches when we’re not playing, and although they’re not the same as a real game, they keep us sharp and remind us that the whole squad is working together to win the trophy again," he noted. He also mentioned the involvement of England youngster Jordan Cox, indicating that the team is ensuring younger players are not left idle on the sidelines. Cook remains convinced that Bethell’s performances in Australia proved he could solve England’s opening‑bat issues, especially with Zak Crawley’s position under review.
"The way he batted at Sydney against a fierce attack in tough conditions showed he can open the innings," Cook said on the Stick to Cricket podcast. Yet he added that Bethell’s current lack of game time is far from ideal.
"He shouldn’t be sitting on his a*** at the IPL; ideally he would return to Warwickshire, open the batting there, and keep the England pipeline healthy," Cook argued. Bethell, for his part, defends his choice to stay in India. He points out that even net sessions in the IPL carry a level of intensity that helps him develop mental toughness.
"When you’re constantly being watched, you learn to perform under pressure, which is crucial for my future," he said. He also highlighted the camaraderie within the squad, stating that the team’s collective effort to win the tournament keeps everyone engaged, even those not featuring in the match‑day XI. His unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground remains one of the few bright spots in England’s 4‑1 Ashes defeat, earning him praise from Cook, who dubbed him "the future of England cricket" after just his sixth Test. Since then, discussions have surfaced about moving Bethell up the order to open, which could open a spot for Somerset wicket‑keeper James Rew.
Bethell, however, expressed a preference for batting at number three. "I love batting at three; I don’t see a huge difference between three and opening," he said.
He referenced Joe Root’s own transition from opener to number four as a precedent and said he would be happy to adapt if required, but his primary desire is to cement his place at three. When asked about his lack of a first‑class century before the Sydney heroics, Bethell shrugged off the criticism. "There was a lot of talk about me not having a first‑class hundred, but I never let that affect me," he explained. He believes his best performances come against top‑quality opposition, a notion supported by his three international centuries across ODI and T20 formats.
He admitted that his form has fluctuated, citing a modest English summer followed by a century, then low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes, which left him feeling out of sync. Nevertheless, he sees those ups and downs as essential learning experiences gained during a year of constant travel. Looking ahead, Bethell remains optimistic about his role in England’s upcoming summer programme, which begins with a three‑Test series against New Zealand on June 4. While the IPL continues to dominate headlines, he maintains that his time in India is shaping him into a more resilient and adaptable player, ready to contribute at the highest level when called upon.
"There is no single right way to progress," he concluded. "I firmly believe staying here is the best thing for me right now, and I’m eager to keep learning and improving for England’s sake."