Jacob Bethell has pushed back against the growing chorus of criticism surrounding his limited playing time in this season's Indian Premier League (IPL). Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has publicly suggested that Bethell should abandon his IPL commitments and return to county cricket with Warwickshire, accusing him of "sitting on his a***" while doing little on the field.
Bethell, however, maintains that his current path is the most appropriate for his development at this stage of his career. The 22‑year‑old’s recent record provides a useful backdrop for the debate.
In January, he produced a match‑winning century in the final Test at Sydney, a performance that lifted England’s otherwise dismal Ashes tour and cemented Bethell’s reputation as a burgeoning star. A few months later, in March, he struck an unbeaten 105 in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India, further underlining his ability to deliver under pressure. Those two innings remain his most recent competitive knocks, as he has yet to break into the playing XI of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side. To date, Bethell has been on the sidelines for six IPL matches, watching his teammates – including fellow England cricketer Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and the Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood – receive the overseas slots allocated by head coach Andy Flower.
The situation mirrors the previous season, when his IPL involvement delayed his participation in the early part of the English domestic campaign and ultimately prevented him from overtaking Ollie Pope in the national pecking order before the Ashes were lost. Cook’s argument is straightforward: Bethell should abandon the IPL and re‑join Warwickshire, thereby ensuring regular match practice rather than remaining idle in India. On the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Cook said, "He shouldn't be sitting on his a*** at the IPL not doing anything.
Ideally he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England." Bethell responded on the same podcast with a measured view. "I don't think there's a right or wrong way to do it," he said, before explaining that a brief hiatus from competitive cricket last year had left him under‑prepared for the final India series. "That was a learning experience for me. But after returning from the IPL last year, I felt like I was flying into the West Indies series, and I think I'm in a similar position now." He went on to describe the intangible benefits of being part of an IPL squad, even when not selected in the starting XI.
"The environment is unique. Everyone raises their standards subconsciously because of the calibre of the tournament. It feels different when you're not in the playing twelve – the impact player role still pushes you to improve." The comparison with England opener Ben Duckett, who recently terminated his contract with the Delhi Capitals to play for Nottinghamshire and safeguard his Test place, highlights how rare it is for a player to stay in the IPL without seeking an early release.
RCB are comfortably placed in the league table, and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) already has an agreement with the franchise regarding player availability, making a mid‑season exit logistically challenging. Cook also praised Bethell’s performance in Sydney, suggesting that his technique against a hostile attack in difficult conditions indicated he could open the England innings. "If he can bat at three, he can open," Cook remarked on the Stick to Cricket podcast.
Yet he added a note of caution: "It's not ideal because he's not opening. He's sitting on his a*** at the IPL not doing anything." Financially, Bethell’s IPL contract is worth roughly £250,000, and he acknowledges that the pressure extends beyond match days. "There are hundreds of eyes on you – coaches, teammates, and fans with phones recording every movement. Even in net sessions you feel that scrutiny," he said.
"It’s a different kind of exposure compared with county cricket, where you might play four rounds of the Championship in a row." Bethell emphasised that practice matches and squad training still provide valuable learning opportunities. "We have practice games when we’re not playing, and while they’re not the same as a competitive fixture, they keep us engaged.
The whole squad is pulling together to win the trophy again, and even players like Jordan Cox aren’t left idle on the sidelines." Summarising his stance, Bethell concluded, "There is no single right way. I firmly believe this is the thing for me to be doing right now." His unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground remains one of the few bright spots in England’s 4‑1 Ashes defeat, and Cook hailed Bethell as "the future of England cricket" after that innings – only his sixth Test. The performance sparked talk of promoting him to the opening slot, which could open a place for Somerset wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew. When asked about his preferred batting position, Bethell replied, "I'd love to stay at three if it's up to me.
I really like the position. Someone like Joe Root had to open before moving back to number four, so if the team wants me to open, I’m happy to do it.
But I prefer number three and would love to cement that spot." Despite not having a first‑class century before his Sydney heroics, Bethell feels his international performances validate his approach. "There was a lot of talk about me not having a first‑class hundred, but I never paid much attention to that. I’ve always performed better against stronger opposition, and that’s shown in my ODI and T20I centuries." He admitted there have been ups and downs, noting a modest English summer followed by low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes.
"From the outside it may look smooth sailing, but I’ve experienced lean patches and learned to cope with them while traveling extensively," he said. "The standout moments are great, but they only make me hungrier for more." Looking ahead, England’s home summer will kick off with a three‑Test series against New Zealand on June 4, broadcast on Sky Sports. Bethell’s future role – whether he returns to county cricket, continues his IPL stint, or eventually opens the England innings – remains a subject of lively discussion among fans and pundits alike.