Jacob Bethell has opened up about the criticism he has faced for not featuring regularly in the Indian Premier League, especially after former England captain Sir Alastair Cook urged him to return to county cricket. The 22‑year‑old’s recent record includes a century in the final Test at Sydney in January – a rare bright spot in an otherwise disastrous Ashes tour for England – and a spectacular 105 in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India in March. Those innings remain his last competitive knocks, 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 Josh Hazlewood – get the nod from head coach Andy Flower. The situation mirrors last season, when his IPL commitments delayed his start to the English domestic campaign and ultimately kept him from overtaking Ollie Pope in the England pecking order before the Ashes were already lost. Cook has publicly suggested that Bethell should abandon the IPL for the time being and re‑join Warwickshire, accusing him of "sitting on his a***" instead of gaining match practice. During a recent episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Bethell responded calmly, saying there is no single "right" or "wrong" path for a young player.
He reflected on the previous year, noting that a brief hiatus from competitive cricket left him under‑prepared for the final series against India. "I learned a lot from that," he admitted, "and when I returned from the IPL last year I felt like I was flying into the West Indies series.
I think I’m in a similar position now – a little better than a month ago after the World Cup, simply because I have spent time with the squad here and absorbed the high standard of cricket in India and the IPL." Bethell argued that the IPL environment offers benefits that are not immediately obvious to outsiders. "Being around a team and a tournament of this calibre changes you," he said. "Even when you’re not in the starting XI, you feel the intensity rise.
Players subconsciously raise their game because of the quality of the opposition and the pressure of the stage. That effect is still there for the impact player or the twelfth man." He contrasted his situation with that of England opener Ben Duckett, who recently left the Delhi Capitals to play for Nottinghamshire in order to protect his Test spot.
While Duckett’s move seemed straightforward, Bethell appears less inclined to abandon his IPL contract, which reportedly pays him around £250,000. He emphasized that even practice sessions in India carry a heavy burden of scrutiny. "There are hundreds of eyes on you – coaches, senior players, fans with phones recording every move. It’s a different kind of pressure, but it forces you to keep improving," he explained.
Bethell acknowledged that the lack of regular match time means he misses the rhythm of a full county innings, yet he believes the exposure to elite bowlers and the high‑octane atmosphere are valuable for his development. "We have practice matches when we’re not playing, and while they’re not the same as a competitive game, they still give us a chance to work together as a squad and push each other," he said.
He also mentioned that England all‑rounder Jordan Cox is not being left idle, highlighting the collective effort to win the IPL trophy again. Cook, speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, praised Bethell’s performance in Sydney, stating that the way he handled a hostile attack in challenging conditions proved he could open the England innings if needed.
"If he can bat at three, he can open," Cook asserted, though he added that it would be ideal for Bethell to return to Warwickshire and get regular batting practice there. Cook’s concern centres on the fact that Bethell is not currently playing any competitive cricket, which could hamper his readiness for future England assignments. Bethell, however, remains convinced that staying in the IPL is the best choice for his career at this stage.
He highlighted the mental resilience required to perform under constant observation: "You get judged by coaches, teammates, and the crowd. It’s a test of character as much as skill.
Even the net sessions are intense because everyone is watching." He also spoke about the camaraderie within the RCB camp, noting that the squad functions as a unit with a shared goal of lifting the trophy. "The whole team knows it’s a collective effort. We’re all pulling together, and that environment helps me grow," he said.
Looking ahead, Bethell reflected on his unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a innings that stood out in England’s 4‑1 Ashes defeat. Sir Alastair Cook hailed him as "the future of England cricket" after that performance, which was only Bethell’s sixth Test.
Since then, there has been speculation about moving him up the order to open, which could open a spot for Somerset wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew. When asked about the possibility of opening, Bethell replied that he is comfortable at number three and would like to cement that position. "I enjoy batting at three.
It’s not a huge shift from opening, and many great players, like Joe Root, have moved between those roles. If England wants me to open, I’ll do it, but I’d love to stay at three," he said. Bethell also addressed the criticism regarding his lack of a first‑class century before the Sydney heroics. He dismissed the chatter, stating that he has always performed best against strong opposition.
"I thrive against top‑class bowlers, and my three international hundreds – in ODIs and T20s – show that. There have been lean patches, but the highs keep me hungry for more," he explained. In summary, Bethell believes that his time in the IPL, even without regular match play, is a valuable learning experience that will ultimately benefit England. He feels the high‑pressure environment, the quality of practice, and the exposure to world‑class talent are essential for his growth.
While critics like Cook argue for a return to county cricket to regain form, Bethell maintains that the IPL is the right place for him right now, and he intends to make the most of every training session and the occasional game opportunity that comes his way.