Jacob Bethell has pushed back against the criticism surrounding his limited playing time in this year’s Indian Premier League, a debate that intensified after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested the young batter should consider returning to county cricket. Bethell’s recent performances for England have been impressive – a late‑season century in the final Test at Sydney in January helped rescue a demoralising Ashes tour, and an explosive 105 in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India in March cemented his reputation as a rising star. Yet those two innings remain his only competitive knocks of the season, as he has yet to break into the playing XI of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side. So far, Bethell has spent six IPL matches on the bench, watching his teammates – Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and the overseas paceman Josh Hazlewood – take the field under head coach Andy Flower’s selections.
At 22, he finds himself in a familiar predicament: last season his IPL commitment delayed his start to the English domestic campaign, which in turn allowed Ollie Pope to retain his place in the England line‑up and left Bethell on the periphery when the Ashes were already lost. Cook has not been subtle.
He told the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast that Bethell should think about heading back to Warwickshire, where he could get regular game time, rather than "sitting on his a*** not doing anything" in India. In response, Bethell offered a measured perspective, insisting there is no single "right" or "wrong" path for a young player navigating international and franchise commitments.
"I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do it," Bethell said on the podcast. He reflected on his own experience after missing a stretch of cricket last year, noting that the break left him under‑prepared for the final leg of the India series.
"That was a learning curve for me," he added. "But when I came back from the IPL last season, I felt like I was flying into the West Indies series, and I’m in a similar spot now – feeling better than I was a month after the World Cup because I’ve been training with the squad here and because of the sheer standard of cricket in the IPL." He went on to describe the atmosphere of the tournament, saying that even when you are not in the starting XI, the environment pushes everyone to improve.
"It’s something few people understand until they’re actually in the camp," Bethell explained. "The whole tournament has this subconscious pressure – everyone raises their game because of the calibre of the competition. It happens even if you’re the impact player or not in the playing twelve." The situation is not unique to Bethell. England opener Ben Duckett recently terminated a contract with the Delhi Capitals to return to Nottinghamshire and protect his Test prospects.
Yet, unlike Duckett, Bethell appears reluctant to abandon his IPL contract, which reportedly pays him around £250,000. He argued that the pressure of training in India, with hundreds of eyes – coaches, teammates, and fans with phones recording every move – is valuable for his development. "You’re constantly being assessed, and that exposure helps you grow," he said. Bethell acknowledged that practice sessions cannot fully replace match experience, but he stressed that the intensity of the IPL environment, the camaraderie of the squad, and the collective goal of winning the trophy provide learning opportunities that differ from the county circuit.
He highlighted the involvement of England’s Jordan Cox, noting that the whole group is working together rather than leaving any individual to “ponder on the sidelines.” Cook, speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, reiterated his belief that Bethell’s performance in Sydney – where he scored a resilient 105 against a hostile attack – proved he could handle the opening role for England. "If he can bat at three, he can open," Cook asserted, while also expressing frustration that Bethell is not currently playing in the IPL. He suggested a return to Warwickshire to open the batting could benefit both the county and the national side. Despite the criticism, Bethell remains convinced that staying in the IPL is the best move for his career at this moment.
He highlighted the mental resilience required to perform under constant scrutiny and the importance of maintaining a high standard of training even when match time is scarce. "There’s no single right way," he said. "I firmly believe this is the thing for me to be doing right now." Bethell’s unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground was one of the few bright spots in England’s 4‑1 Ashes defeat, earning him praise from Cook, who labelled him "the future of England cricket." The innings, achieved in only his sixth Test, sparked debate about whether Bethell should be promoted to open the innings, a move that could also create a place for Somerset’s 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 role.
There isn’t a massive difference between three and the top. Joe Root started opening before moving back down to four, so if the team wants me to open, I’m happy to do it.
But I enjoy batting at three and would love to cement that spot." He also addressed the criticism that he had not scored a first‑class century before his heroics in Sydney. "There was a lot of talk about the lack of a first‑class hundred, but I didn’t pay much attention to it," Bethell said. "I’ve always performed better against stronger opposition, and that’s reflected in my three hundreds across ODIs and T20Is.
There have been lean patches, sure – a poor English summer, low scores in New Zealand – but those experiences have taught me to handle ups and downs." Bethell concluded by emphasizing his hunger for more success. "Those standout moments are great, but they only make me want more," he said.
"I’m eager to keep learning, keep improving, and keep contributing to England, whether that’s from the IPL, county cricket, or the international stage." The debate over Bethell’s future will likely continue as the IPL progresses, but for now the 22‑year‑old remains convinced that his current path – training in India, absorbing the high‑pressure environment, and preparing for the next opportunity – is the right one for his development and for England’s long‑term success.