Jacob Bethell managed 14 after being handed his first game of the 2026 IPL season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday.
The 22-year-old left-hander had not featured in RCB’s opening six matches, which prompted public debate about his place with the franchise while the county season continues. Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested Bethell should return to Warwickshire rather than “sitting on his a*** at the IPL not doing anything.” Ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen pushed back on social media, urging the youngster to stay in India and arguing the experience would make him a better player even if he was not playing regularly.
Bethell was included as an impact player against Gujarat Titans — not in the original XI but brought on to open the chase of 206. He faced 10 balls, hitting three fours, before being trapped in the third over when he lofted a Mohammed Siraj delivery to point for a catch.
Virat Kohli then took charge, compiling a powerful 81 off 44 balls despite an early reprieve, and put on a crucial partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who made 55 off 27. Their efforts steered RCB to victory with seven balls to spare, extending the side’s good run to five wins in seven games and lifting them to second in the table.
Gujarat had been propelled to 205-3 by Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant 100 off 58, but his century proved insufficient. England’s Jos Buttler contributed 25 off 16 batting at No. 3 for the Titans.
Amid the criticism about his limited playing time, Bethell defended his decision to stay with RCB, saying on the Sky Cricket podcast that he believed remaining in the IPL was the right move. Reportedly earning around £250,000 from the franchise, he said being around the squad and training in India had improved him since the World Cup. Bethell stressed that the IPL’s environment is unique, that players raise their standards in that setting, and that learning from high-intensity practices and squad experience can be as valuable as regular county match minutes.