Jacob Bethell has pushed back against the backlash he’s been receiving over his limited playing time in the Indian Premier League, a debate that was reignited after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested the young batsman should head back to county cricket. The 22‑year‑old’s recent form has been a mixed bag: he finished the Ashes series with a vital century in the final Test at Sydney, a performance that briefly lifted England’s spirits during a dismal tour, and he then produced a spectacular 105‑run knock 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 (RCB) side.
So far, Bethell has spent six IPL matches on the bench while head coach Andy Flower has preferred other overseas options—Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood—to fill the limited‑overs slots. The situation mirrors the previous season, when his IPL commitments curtailed his early‑season domestic campaign and delayed his challenge to Ollie Pope for a top‑order spot, a delay that proved costly as England eventually lost the Ashes. Cook’s public remarks were blunt: he urged Bethell to consider returning to Warwickshire, arguing that “sitting on his a*** not doing anything” in India was unproductive. Bethell, however, offered a more nuanced perspective during an appearance on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
He said there is no single correct path and reflected on the lessons learned from his time away from match action. "Last year, when I wasn’t playing much cricket, I went into the India series a little undercooked," he explained. "That was a learning experience.
But after the IPL, I felt a lift in confidence heading into the West Indies series, and I’m feeling even better now than I was a month after the World Cup." He emphasized the intangible benefits of being part of an elite tournament, even when not in the starting eleven. "Being around a squad like RCB, feeling the intensity, the standards, the way everyone subconsciously raises their game—it’s a different vibe," Bethell said. "Even as an impact player or a reserve, you soak up that environment and it pushes you to improve." Bethell’s situation is not unique. England opener Ben Duckett recently turned down a contract with the Delhi Capitals to re‑join Nottinghamshire and safeguard his Test prospects.
Yet, unlike Duckett, Bethell appears reluctant to abandon his IPL contract, which reportedly nets him around £250,000. He acknowledges the pressure that comes with the spotlight in India: "There are hundreds of eyes on you, coaches, teammates, fans with phones recording every move. That exposure can be daunting, but it also forces you to develop mental resilience." While he admits that practice sessions cannot fully replace competitive matches, Bethell points out that the IPL schedule includes intra‑squad games and extensive net work, which help maintain a high level of preparation.
"The squad is united around winning the trophy again, and even those non‑match days feel purposeful. Jordan Cox, for example, isn’t just left on the sidelines; everyone contributes in some way," he noted. Cook, speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, praised Bethell’s performance in Sydney, stating that the young batsman has the temperament to open the innings for England. "If he can bat at three, he can open.
The way he handled that attack in those conditions convinced me he could be a top‑order option," Cook said, before adding that the current scenario is far from ideal. "He’s not opening because he’s not playing, he’s just sitting on his a*** at the IPL. Ideally, he could return to Warwickshire, open there, and make a case for England." Bethell countered that the IPL experience, despite its limited match time, is still valuable for his development. "Even the net sessions are high‑pressure because everyone’s watching.
It’s about learning to perform when you know the world is looking at you," he said. "I believe this is the right thing for me right now." His unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground remains one of the few bright spots in England’s 4‑1 Ashes defeat. Cook labelled him "the future of England cricket" after that innings, which was only Bethell’s sixth Test. Discussions have since emerged about promoting him to the opening slot, a move that could also open a place for Somerset wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew.
When asked about his preferred batting position, Bethell expressed a clear preference for the No. 3 role.
"I’d love to stay at three if it’s up to me. I enjoy that position and don’t see a massive difference between three and opening," he explained. He referenced Joe Root’s own shift from opening to the middle order as a precedent, indicating his willingness to adapt if the team requires it. Despite the criticism, Bethell remains confident that his performances for England are the core of his identity.
He addressed the lingering debate about his lack of a first‑class hundred before his Sydney heroics, saying he never let that narrative affect him. "I’ve always performed better against stronger opposition, and that’s reflected in my three international centuries across formats," he said. He admitted to having rough patches, recalling a difficult English summer followed by low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes, but emphasized that those challenges have helped him grow.
Looking ahead, Bethell is focused on the upcoming English summer, which will feature a three‑Test series against New Zealand starting on June 4, broadcast on Sky Sports. He hopes his continued exposure to high‑quality cricket—whether in India, England, or elsewhere—will sharpen his skills and keep him in contention for the national side. In his own words, "It’s been great to have those standout moments, but they only make me hungrier for more."