Kevin Pietersen has once again sparked his ongoing dispute with former England captain Sir Alastair Cook by taking issue with Cook’s comments about Jacob Bethell’s involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The controversy centers on Cook’s suggestion that Bethell, who has not featured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first six matches of the tournament, should abandon his IPL stint and return to Warwickshire to play county cricket, accusing him of "sitting on his a***" while doing nothing. Pietersen, who fell out of favour with the England set‑up during Cook’s captaincy after the 2013‑14 Ashes, countered that Cook’s lack of personal experience in the IPL makes his opinion irrelevant. "Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL," Pietersen wrote on X, adding that the league places a player among the world’s elite talent on a daily basis.
"So his view on Jacob Bethell doesn’t matter at all. Stay in India, Jacob. Even if you aren’t playing, you’re learning and you’ll become a far better cricketer." He later elaborated, "If county cricket were as strong as it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I might want Bethell back there now, but it isn’t. It will benefit England more for him to stay in India – he’s already shown that he can grow there." Bethell has enjoyed a breakthrough period, cementing his place in England’s top order across Tests, ODIs and T20s after a string of impressive performances, including a century in the Ashes at Sydney and a key knock in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against India.
Despite not playing in the IPL matches, he is earning roughly £250,000 from his contract with RCB and has defended his decision to remain in the tournament. Speaking on the Sky Cricket podcast, Bethell said, "I firmly believe this is the right thing for me right now.
After the World Cup I feel better, just being around the guys here and experiencing the high standard of cricket in India and the IPL. Every net session has hundreds of eyes on you – coaches, fellow players, fans with phones recording – it’s a huge exposure and a learning curve." His 154 from the number three position in January, at the tail end of England’s difficult tour of Australia, has put him in strong contention for the opening Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
Speculation has also arisen about him moving up the order to open, especially if England decide to drop Zak Crawley, which could open a spot for in‑form James Rew in the middle order. Bethell admitted he prefers to stay at number three but is ready to adapt, recalling how Joe Root was moved to opener to accommodate a returning Pietersen ahead of the 2013 Ashes. "I’d love to stay at three, that’s my favourite spot.
I don’t think there’s a massive difference between three and the top. If the team wants me to open, I’ll be happy to do it, but I’d really like to cement the three‑slot as my own," he explained.
England opener Ben Duckett recently turned down a contract with the Delhi Capitals to return to Nottinghamshire and protect his Test place, but Bethell does not appear inclined to leave the IPL early. RCB are currently well‑placed in the league table, and an agreement exists between the franchise and the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding player availability. Cook, however, remains skeptical. On the Stick to Cricket podcast he praised Bethell’s performance in Sydney, saying, "The way he played against that attack in those conditions shows he can open.
If he can bat at three, he can open." Yet he added, "It’s not ideal. Bethell shouldn’t be sitting on his a*** at the IPL doing nothing. Ideally he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England." Bethell countered that even the net sessions in India carry pressure. "You may not get as much match time as you would in the County Championship, but the constant scrutiny, the eyes on you during practice, is vital for my development.
We also have practice matches when we’re not playing, and the whole squad is pulling together to win the trophy again. Jordan Cox isn’t just left on the sidelines either." His unbeaten 142 at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a rare highlight in England’s 4‑1 Ashes loss, and Cook hailed him as "the future of England cricket" after that innings, which came in only his sixth Test. The performance has fueled discussions about promoting Bethell to open, which would in turn create a place for Somerset wicket‑keeper‑batter James Rew.
When asked about his lack of a first‑class century before the Sydney heroics, Bethell said, "There was a lot of talk about me not having a first‑class hundred, but I never focused on that. I’ve always performed better against stronger opposition, and that’s reflected in my scores against top teams and quality bowlers." He reflected on his career trajectory, noting the ups and downs: "You can see the three hundreds I’ve made in ODIs and T20Is and think it’s all smooth sailing, but there have been lean patches.
I didn’t have a great English summer last year, then topped it off with a hundred, followed by low scores in New Zealand before the Ashes. It’s been a roller‑coaster, but those experiences have taught me how to cope with the highs and lows." Bethell concluded, "Those standout moments are great, but they only make me hungrier for more. I want to keep learning, keep improving, and contribute to England’s success wherever I’m needed." England’s home summer begins with a three‑Test series against New Zealand on June 4, broadcast live on Sky Sports. For viewers without a Sky subscription, the matches can be streamed contract‑free on NOW.