New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Former England captains Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook are again involved in a public disagreement, this time over youngster Jacob Bethell’s decision to continue in the IPL despite not getting matches.
Bethell, who is part of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, is yet to play a game this season with the star-studded franchise preferring an overseas combination of Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood.
Cook felt the 22-year-old should return to England and play county cricket instead of sitting on the bench.
However, Pietersen strongly disagreed and backed Bethell’s decision to stay in India, saying the IPL environment itself is a big learning experience.
“Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL. What 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.” Cook, speaking on a podcast, said Bethell would benefit more from regular game time in county cricket.
“He should be back playing county cricket rather than sitting on his a*** at the IPL not doing anything,” Cook said.
Despite not getting chances in the playing XI due to strong competition at RCB, Bethell has already shown his potential at the international level.
He was England’s top scorer in the T20 World Cup with 280 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of over 152, and had also smashed a 48-ball century against India at the Wankhede in the semifinal, though England lost that match by seven runs while chasing 254.
Bethell himself said the IPL experience has helped him improve.
“I feel better now than I did a month ago. Just being around the players here and the standard of cricket in the IPL is amazing,” he said.
“There’s a different intensity here and everyone raises their game. It’s something you understand only when you are part of it.” PTI TAP AM AM AM
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