Jacob Bethell has pushed back against the criticism surrounding his scarce match involvement in the Indian Premier League, a debate that was reignited after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested the young batter should contemplate a return to county cricket. Bethell’s standout century in the final Test at Sydney in January served as a late‑season highlight for an otherwise dismal England Ashes campaign, and his explosive 105‑run knock in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India in March further cemented his reputation as a burgeoning star. Yet that innings remains his most recent competitive performance, 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, watching his teammates take the field while head coach Andy Flower has consistently opted for other overseas imports such as Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood. The 22‑year‑old now finds himself in a predicament reminiscent of last season, when his IPL commitments delayed his domestic start and ultimately prevented him from overtaking Ollie Pope in the England hierarchy before the Ashes series was already lost. Cook has been blunt, urging Bethell to consider a return to Warwickshire rather than “sitting on his a*** not doing anything” in India. On the latest Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Bethell responded with a measured perspective: “I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do it.
We saw last year that a period without cricket left me a little under‑cooked for the final India series, and that was a learning experience.” He went on to compare his current situation with the post‑IPL surge he enjoyed last year, when he returned to the England side for the West Indies series in flying form. Bethell explained that, despite not being in the starting XI, the environment in India has been beneficial. “I feel better now than I was a month ago after the World Cup, simply by spending time with the guys here and experiencing the sheer standard of cricket in the IPL,” he said. “It’s something few people understand until they’re actually in the bubble.
The tournament has a different vibe; everyone seems to raise their game almost subconsciously because of the calibre of opposition.” He added that even players not in the starting twelve, such as the designated impact player, absorb that heightened intensity. The situation contrasts with England opener Ben Duckett, who recently withdrew from a Delhi Capitals contract to re‑join Nottinghamshire and protect his Test prospects. Bethell, however, appears unlikely to seek an early exit, especially as RCB sit comfortably in the league table and a player‑availability agreement already exists between the franchise and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Cook remains convinced that Bethell demonstrated he could solve England’s opening‑bat dilemma during his Sydney performance, noting that Zak Crawley’s place looks increasingly tenuous. “The way he handled that attack in those conditions showed he can open. If he can bat at three, he can certainly open,” Cook told the Stick to Cricket podcast. Yet he warned that Bethell’s current lack of match practice is far from ideal.
“He’s not opening because he’s sitting on his a*** at the IPL not playing. Ideally, he could come back and open for Warwickshire, which would benefit England as well.” Financially, Bethell’s IPL contract is worth roughly £250,000, and he acknowledges that even training sessions in India carry a unique pressure.
“There are hundreds of eyes on you – coaches, teammates, fans with phones recording every move. It’s a different kind of exposure compared with four rounds of County Championship cricket,” he said. “While we don’t get the same amount of actual match time, the practice matches and squad sessions help us stay sharp. The whole group is pulling together to win the trophy again, and players like Jordan Cox are not left idle on the sidelines.” Bethell summed up his stance succinctly: “There’s 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 was one of the few bright spots in England’s 4‑1 Ashes loss, earning Cook’s praise as “the future of England cricket.” The innings, achieved in only his sixth Test, sparked discussions about promoting Bethell to the opening slot, which would open a place for Somerset’s wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew. When asked about moving up the order, Bethell replied, “I’d love to stay at three if it’s up to me.
I really enjoy that position. There isn’t a massive difference between three and the top. Joe Root had to open before moving back down, so if the team wants me to open, I’m happy to do it, but I’d prefer to cement my spot at three.” Reflecting on his England performances, Bethell said they are what he “pretty much believes in,” despite critics pointing out that he hadn’t scored a first‑class century before his Sydney heroics.
“There was a lot of talk about me not having a first‑class hundred, but I never let that distract me,” he explained. “I’ve always performed better against stronger opposition, and that’s evident in my centuries in ODIs and T20Is. There have been lean patches – a poor English summer last year, low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes – but those ups and downs have taught me resilience.” He concluded by emphasizing his hunger for further success: “It’s great to have standout moments, but they only make me want more.” Bethell’s future remains a subject of debate, but his confidence in the IPL experience and his commitment to England’s cause suggest he will continue to weigh both opportunities carefully as the summer season approaches, with England’s home series against New Zealand set to begin on June 4.