Jacob Bethell has pushed back against the criticism he has been receiving for not featuring regularly in the Indian Premier League, a debate that was reignited after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested the young batter should consider returning to county cricket. The 22‑year‑old’s recent career highlights include a crucial century in the final Test at Sydney in January, which provided a late‑stage boost to England’s otherwise disappointing Ashes campaign, and a blistering 105 in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India in March.
Those two innings remain his most recent competitive scores, as he has yet to break into the playing XI for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru side. To date, Bethell has spent six IPL matches on the bench, with head coach Andy Flower opting for other overseas options such as Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood. The situation mirrors the previous season, when his IPL involvement curtailed his ability to make an early impact in the domestic season and delayed his overtaking of Ollie Pope in England’s batting hierarchy – a delay that proved costly as the Ashes were already lost by the time he could press his case. Cook has been outspoken, urging Bethell to return to Warwickshire and stop "sitting on his a***" while watching from the sidelines in India.
Bethell addressed the issue on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, noting that there is no single correct path for a young player navigating international and franchise commitments. He reflected on the previous year, explaining that a brief hiatus from competitive cricket left him under‑prepared for the final India series, a lesson he has taken to heart. "When I came back from the IPL last year I felt like I was flying into the West Indies series," Bethell said, drawing a parallel to his current situation.
"Now, after spending time with the squad here and experiencing the high standards of Indian cricket, I feel better than I did a month after the World Cup. The environment in the IPL is unique – everyone seems to raise their game subconsciously because of the tournament’s calibre, even if you are not in the starting XI or even the designated impact player." The contrast with England opener Ben Duckett, who recently terminated his contract with the Delhi Capitals to return to Nottinghamshire and safeguard his Test place, highlights how uncommon it is for a player to abandon an IPL contract mid‑season. RCB remain well‑placed in the league table, and the England and Wales Cricket Board have already reached an agreement with the franchise regarding player availability, making an early exit for Bethell unlikely. Cook believes Bethell demonstrated during the Sydney Test that he could solve England’s opening‑bat problems, especially as Zak Crawley’s position appears increasingly tenuous.
However, Cook remains concerned about the lack of match practice. "He proved he can open against a world‑class attack in Sydney, but it’s not ideal that he’s not getting regular game time. Ideally he could return to Warwickshire, open there, and keep England’s top order healthy," Cook said on the Stick to Cricket podcast. Financially, Bethell’s IPL contract is worth around £250,000, and he acknowledges that even training sessions in India carry intense scrutiny.
"There are hundreds of eyes on you – coaches, teammates, fans with phones in the crowd – constantly evaluating whether you are good enough. The pressure is real, even if you’re not playing a full match," he explained. He added that while practice matches cannot fully replicate competitive fixtures, they still provide valuable exposure and help maintain a squad‑wide focus on winning the trophy. Bethell also emphasized the importance of the collective effort within the RCB camp, mentioning that England international Jordan Cox is also receiving opportunities rather than being left idle on the sidelines.
"There’s no single right way to handle this," Bethell concluded. "I truly believe staying here is the best thing for me at the moment." His unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground was one of the few bright spots in England’s 4‑1 Ashes loss, earning Cook’s praise as "the future of England cricket" after only his sixth Test.
Discussions have arisen about promoting Bethell to an opening role, which could open a spot for Somerset wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew. Yet Bethell has expressed a preference for batting at number three, citing personal comfort and the minimal difference between that position and opening.
"If the team wants me to open, I’ll do it, but I’d love to cement my place at three," he said. Despite not having a first‑class hundred before his Sydney heroics, Bethell feels his performances for England validate his belief in his abilities. He downplays the criticism surrounding his lack of a domestic hundred, noting that he thrives against strong opposition and enjoys the challenge of facing top‑class bowlers. He reflected on his fluctuating form, acknowledging a difficult English summer, a subsequent hundred, and a string of low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes, describing the ups and downs as essential learning experiences.
Looking ahead, Bethell remains hungry for more success. He views his standout moments as fuel for further ambition rather than a plateau. The upcoming English summer, featuring a three‑Test series against New Zealand starting 4 June, will provide another platform for him to prove his worth, whether he ultimately returns to county cricket or continues to develop within the IPL framework.