Jacob Bethell Told To Leave IPL 2026 Amidst RCB Snub

Jacob Bethell- (Source: AFP)

IPL 2026 is halfway through, and still, there are no signs of Jacob Bethell in action. The England rising star, who was exceptional in the T20 World Cup, has failed to get a solitary chance and is warming the bench for RCB in the ongoing season. 

For the unversed, Bethell scored 280 runs in eight innings during the T20 World Cup 2026, including a century against India at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite the heroics, the 22-year-old is behind Phil Salt and Tim David in the pecking order for the defending champions.

Jacob Bethell Struggling For Game-Time in IPL 2026

Bethell is a rising star and is touted to be the next big thing in world cricket. Notably, RCB waited till the end of the IPL 2025 auction to spend their money specifically on Jacob Bethell. The youngster also repaid the faith and scored 67 runs in two innings last season.

After an impressive T20 World Cup, pundits believed that Bethell would play all of RCB’s matches and even open the innings with Virat Kohli. However, much to everyone’s surprise, the 22-year-old is struggling for game time and even skipped County cricket to play in the IPL.

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For the unversed, England’s County season is on, and Bethell has prioritised warming the bench for RCB than play for Warwickshire. 

Alastiar Cook Asks Bethell To Leave IPL Mid-Season

In the latest events, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has slammed Jacob Bethell. The England veteran has ordered Bethell to leave RCB mid-season and return to play county cricket for Warwickshire.

Speaking on The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket podcast, he said: “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.”

Why Can’t Jacob Bethell Leave IPL 2026?

Interestingly, IPL rules are so strict that Jacob Bethell cannot think of leaving IPL. Other than injury, if the youngster leave the squad to focus on his international career, then he would be banned for two years from IPL. 

Bethell will not be eligible to play in IPL till 2029. Notably, Ben Duckett did the unthinkable and left DC before IPL 2026, resulting in a two-year ban. For the unversed, Duckett too left the IPL to focus on his international career.

Jacob Bethell Reacts On Skipping County Cricket

Bethell was recently asked about skipping England’s domestic season for IPL and stated that he has learned a lot despite sitting on the bench in IPL 2026.

“I'm definitely happy being here. Look back at last year in the experience and the knowledge I gained from being over here and being a part of this competition. Based on the 3 weeks I've had so far, I've definitely learned a lot. I've got one eye on the English season, obviously, but trying to get better as much as possible before I get back there,” Jacob Bethell said 

RCB will next lock horns against the Gujarat Titans on April 24.

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