![Jacob Bethell [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776930849706_jacobbethellrcbipl.jpg?type=hq)
Jacob Bethell [Source: AFP]
Young England batter Jacob Bethell has been warming the bench for RCB in IPL 2026. Despite being an integral member of the RCB IPL 2026 squad, Bethell has yet to play a single game in the tournament.
Led by Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers have stuck to their winning combination, pairing up Phil Salt with the legendary Virat Kohli at the top order.
Given that the inclusion of Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood in the Royal Challengers' playing XI is non-negotiable, Jacob Bethell has missed out on selection due to the overseas quota of four players.
Alastair Cook had demanded Jacob Bethell's RCB exit
In a dramatic development, former England captain Alastair Cook had urged Jacob Bethell to leave the RCB IPL 2026 squad and join his County team, Warwickshire, to prepare for England's upcoming Test matches.
Cook reckoned that Bethell is too good a player to warm the bench, and it'll do him no good if he remains on the sidelines in the IPL 2026.
Therefore, the legendary English batter advised Bethell to return to England and play the County Championship instead of wasting his time in the IPL.
“For that top order batting, the way he played at Sydney, against that attack, in those conditions...I’ve looked at a player there, and I’m certain this bloke can open. If he can bat three, he can open. (But) it’s not ideal, is it? Bethell shouldn’t really be it because he’s not opening. He’s sitting on his arse at the IPL not doing anything. Ideally, he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England," Cook had said in the Stick to Cricket podcast.
Kevin Pietersen slams Alastair Cook, issues fresh instructions for Jacob Bethell
Hours after Alastair Cook sparked a major debate by asking Bethell to leave the IPL 2026, his former colleague Kevin Pietersen opposed him, issuing fresh instructions for the RCB batter.
Also Read: RCB's Jacob Bethell Hits Back At Alastair Cook After Controversial Remark On His IPL Stint
The talismanic cricketer, who recently returned to the IPL as a commentator following his exit from the Delhi Capitals' coaching setup, believes Cook's opinion doesn't make sense as he has never been a part of the Indian T20 league.
Pietersen feels that Bethell can utilise his IPL 2026 stint as a valuable learning curve by spending quality time with the greats of the game, such as Virat Kohli.
Taking to his official handle on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Pietersen instructed Jacob Bethell to stay in India and fine-tune his skills.
"Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it's like to be in the IPL. What's it's like to always be around the best players in the world. So his opinion on Jacob Bethell doesn't matter at all. Stay in India, Jacob. I know, even though you're not playing, you're learning and will be a way better player," Kevin Pietersen posted on X.
Can Jacob Bethell get a wildcard entry into RCB XI?
Although Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David have performed magnificently, Romario Shepherd appears to be a weak link in the Royal Challengers' lineup.
However, as he plays as a finisher, Shepherd doesn't have a direct competition with Bethell, who is a top-order batter. Additionally, the current RCB management, led by Andy Flower and captain Rajat Patidar, doesn't believe in fixing something that isn't broken.
Therefore, the abundance of proven top-order options and RCB's knack for backing their players might keep Bethell on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
Also Read: BCCI Accused Of Killing India Players With Hectic Scheduling; IPL Creator Makes Special Appeal
