Jacob Bethell and Alastair Cook [Source: AFP]Jacob Bethell has found his way into the RCB team for the match against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 season. The young batting all-rounder was brought into the team as a replacement for fellow England star Phil Salt. While Bethell is not a part of RCB’s primary playing XI, he has been selected a one of the five ‘Impact Substitutes’, and will be available to play during the RCB innings in the second half of the game. In any case, Bethell’s inclusion sparked much celebration from RCB fans on social media. Many fans even welcomed the exciting middle-order batter as the defending champions place their best bet for climbing up the IPL 2026 points table. Fans also took this opportunity to troll former England captain Alastair Cook. It is worth noting that earlier this week, Cook urged the young Englishman to fly back to England in a bid to work on his Test game. RCB fans celebrate Jacob Bethell’s return, target Alastair Cook Jacob Bethell was included in the RCB team for match number 34 of the IPL 2026 season against the Gujarat Titans. Playing in front of their home crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the match also marks Bethell’s first of the season, and only the third of his IPL career. Also Read- Jacob Bethell Issued Fresh Instructions Amid Demands To Leave RCBThe exciting English all-rounder will be available to play in the second half of the game as an ‘Impact Substitute’. While RCB fans celebrated the occasion, several of them also called out former England captain Alastair Cook for his disparaging remarks against the IPL and the youngster. Many RCB fans took to X and shared hilarious memes at the expense of the ex-England opener.Aditya Saha @Adityakrsaha Jacob Bethell is playing. Feeling sad for Alastair Cook. 🤣🤣 Apr 24, 2026, 7:04 PM ST Srivas @Lofted_Drive_ Yesterday, Alastair Cook said Jacob Bethell was doing nothing in the IPL, just sitting around. He should play for Warwickshire and help England. Today, Jacob Bethell made his IPL debut. #RCBvsGT Apr 24, 2026, 7:21 PM Black Soul @nonsensehum Alastair Cook ke 1 statement ke baad Jacob Bethell aaj khelega 😂😂 #TATAIPL #GTvRCB Saurabh Malhotra @MalhotraSaurabh Bethell is playing. Alastair Cook: Apr 24, 2026, 7:03 PM Creed Bratton @Cric_Jack17 Tight slap to Alastair Cook by Andy Flower and DK #RCBvsGT What did Alastair Cook say about Jacob Bethell?A few days ago, former England captain Alastair Cook urged Jacob Bethell to leave the RCB franchise midway into the IPL 2026 season. Cook wanted Bethell to fly back to England and join his domestic team to play the upcoming 2026 County Championship Season in a bid to work on his Test game. Also Read- Jacob Bethell's IPL 2026 PriceThe former England skipper stated the same at the time when the young Englishman was not receiving any opportunity in the RCB playing XI. Phil Salt out, Jacob Bethell in for RCB’s match against Titans Fellow England top-order batter Phil Salt suffered an injury and was ruled out of RCB’s playing XI for the match against Gujarat Titans. The team management utilized this opportunity to recall Bethell into the team as an ‘Impact Substitute’ for the second innings. Winning the toss and opting to field first, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar confirmed the changes while speaking with the commentator. RCB playing XI vs Gujarat Titans: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam. Impact subs: Jacob Bethell, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal Batting first, the Gujarat Titans started off the match by racing to 57-0 at the end of the powerplay overs.Follow RCB vs GT Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash
