Jacob Bethell played for RCB in IPL 2026.
Bethell was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp but was warming the bench since RCB opted for Virat Kohli and Phil Salt to open the innings. Bethell got chances once Salt got injured, but couldn’t do much with the bat or the ball.
A young player's growth still needs more actual match practice, according to Sir Alastair Cook, even though the IPL environment offers educational opportunities.
“Bethell shouldn’t really be it because he’s not opening. He’s sitting at the IPL, not doing anything. Ideally, he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England,” Cook had said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.
However, Kevin Pietersen opposed Cook and rejected the idea. Pietersen has played for RCB and captained the franchise as well,l and wants current England players to play in the IPL and learn from the best.
He gave Jacob Bethell the same advice and requested that he remain in India and with the RCB team. He went so far as to accuse Cook of not appreciating the importance of being in an IPL dressing room.
“Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL. Stay in India, Jacob. Even though you're not playing, you're learning and will be a way better player,” Pietersen posted on X.
Jason Gillespie, a former Australian pacer, challenged Kevin Pietersen in the IPL v nation argument.
In a conversation with other Australian greats Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming on The Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, Gillespie mocked Pietersen's criticism of Cook and challenged the former England batter's claims.
“The nerve of Sir Alastair Cook to suggest something like that. KP has gone off the deep end and stated that Sir Alastair Cook’s opinion doesn’t matter because he’s never been to the IPL and would not know.
I think Sir Alastair Cook had a valid point, but the way KP absolutely hammered him for having an opinion—give me a spell, boys. Absolute nonsense,” Gillespie insisted Cook had made a perfectly reasonable point.
Then, mocking Pietersen's claims that he cleared the way for players to emphasize franchise cricket, Gillespie became even harsher.
“He reckons he would have played 150 Tests or more. He’s the one who paved the way. Thank you, Kevin, for the stars above, the sun, the moon, the earth we walk on, and the air we breathe. It was all about cash for you, Kev. Give me a break, you muppet,” Gillespie concluded.
Bethell was ruled out of the IPL 2026 before the playoffs, after injuring his finger, and has returned to England.