Jacob Bethell has openly addressed the criticism he has been receiving over his limited playing time in the Indian Premier League, especially after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested he should consider heading back to county cricket. The 22‑year‑old’s recent career highlights include a crucial century in the final Test at Sydney in January, which was a rare bright spot in England’s disappointing Ashes campaign, and an explosive 105‑run knock in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India in March.
Those innings have cemented his reputation as a burgeoning star, yet they also mark his last competitive innings to date, as he has not yet broken into the playing XI for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side. To date, Bethell has spent six IPL matches on the sidelines, watching his teammates train and compete while head coach Andy Flower has consistently preferred other overseas options such as Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood. This situation mirrors the previous season, when Bethell’s IPL commitment curtailed his ability to make an impact at the start of the English domestic season, ultimately preventing him from overtaking Ollie Pope in the England hierarchy before the Ashes were already lost.
Cook’s view is blunt: Bethell should think about returning to Warwickshire, rather than "sitting on his a***" doing nothing in India. On the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Bethell offered a measured response, stating, "I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do it. We saw last year that a period without regular cricket left me a little undercooked for the final India series, and that was a lesson I took to heart." He went on to compare his current situation with his post‑IPL form from the previous year, noting that after returning from the IPL he felt "flying" heading into the West Indies series and that he now feels a similar boost. "Spending time with the squad here, even when I’m not in the starting XI, is valuable," he explained.
"The standard of cricket in India and the intensity of the IPL create an environment where everyone subconsciously raises their game. That uplift can happen even for players on the bench, especially with the impact‑player rule allowing a broader group to contribute." The contrast between Bethell’s experience and that of England opener Ben Duckett is stark. Duckett recently terminated his Delhi Capitals contract to return to Nottinghamshire and safeguard his Test place.
By contrast, Bethell appears unlikely to seek an early exit from RCB, a side that is comfortably positioned in the league table and has already reached an agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding player availability. Cook believes Bethell demonstrated during the Sydney Test that he could solve England’s opening‑bat problems, particularly as Zak Crawley’s position looks increasingly tenuous. "The way he handled that attack in those conditions showed he can open," Cook said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.
"If he can bat at three, he can certainly open. The only issue is that he’s not currently opening – he’s on the bench in the IPL, which isn’t ideal. Ideally he would return to Warwickshire, open there, and keep England’s options open." Financially, Bethell’s IPL contract is worth roughly £250,000, but he stresses that the pressure extends beyond match days.
"There are hundreds of eyes on you at every practice session, whether it’s coaches, senior players or fans with phones recording every move," he said. "Even without a full‑match innings, the exposure is intense and it forces you to develop mental resilience." He acknowledged that practice matches cannot fully replicate the experience of a competitive game, yet they still provide valuable match‑like situations. "The squad is united in its goal to win the trophy again, and even the net sessions feel like a collective effort. Jordan Cox, for example, isn’t just watching from the sidelines; he’s involved in the drills, which keeps everyone sharp," Bethell added.
Summarising his stance, Bethell concluded, "There is no single correct path. I firmly believe staying here and absorbing everything the IPL environment offers is the right thing for me right now." Bethell’s unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground was one of the few highlights in England’s 4‑1 Ashes defeat, and it earned him praise from Cook, who called him "the future of England cricket" after only his sixth Test.
Discussions have surfaced about moving him up the order to open, which would open a slot for Somerset’s wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew. However, Bethell expressed a clear preference for batting at number three. "I’d love to stay at three if that’s what the team wants. I enjoy that role and I don’t see a massive difference between three and opening," he explained.
He referenced Joe Root’s own transition from opener to number four, suggesting flexibility is possible. When asked about his lack of a first‑class hundred 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 it affect me. I thrive against strong opposition, and my three international centuries – in ODIs and T20s – show I can perform on big stages." He admitted his form has fluctuated, noting a modest English summer followed by a hundred, then a string of low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes.
"From the outside it may look smooth, but the reality is a series of ups and downs that have taught me to cope with the highs and lows of a touring life," he said. "Those experiences make me hungry for more success." Looking ahead, England’s home summer will kick off with a three‑Test series against New Zealand on June 4, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Bethell’s future role – whether he returns to county cricket, continues to fight for a spot in the IPL, or cements a place in England’s Test side – remains a topic of lively debate among fans and pundits alike.