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Cook Urges Bethell to Ditch IPL Bench for County Cricket to Aid England

Former England captain Alastair Cook has publicly advised young batter Jacob Bethell to consider leaving Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. Cook argues Bethell is wasting crucial development time on the bench instead of playing for Warwickshire in the County Championship. He believes Bethell's brilliant T20 World Cup century, particularly against Australia in Sydney, shows he could be the solution to England's opening problems. Cook's comments follow Ben Duckett's earlier decision to pull out of the IPL to focus on county cricket and his Test career.

Key Points: Alastair Cook: Jacob Bethell Should Leave IPL for County Cricket

  • Cook advises Bethell to leave IPL
  • Bethell warming RCB bench despite WC century
  • Suggests proving himself as opener for Warwickshire
  • Aims to solve England's top-order issues
  • Follows Ben Duckett's precedent of prioritizing county cricket
2 min read

'He is not doing anything': Cook wants Bethell to leave IPL and play county cricket

Former England captain Alastair Cook advises youngster Jacob Bethell to leave RCB in the IPL and return to play for Warwickshire to prove himself as an opener.

"Bethell shouldn't really be it because he's not opening. He's sitting at the IPL not doing anything. - Alastair Cook"

London, April 22

Former England great Sir Alastair Cook has advised youngster Jacob Bethell to consider leaving his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the ongoing Indian Premier League and return to play county cricket with Warwickshire, stating that the left-hander is not doing anything and wasting his crucial preparation time at IPL.

Bethell was in great touch in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored a brilliant century in the semi final against India. The youngster achieved the milestone in just 45 balls and recorded the second-fastest T20 World Cup century ever.

Despite World Cup heroics, Bethell is yet to play a single game in RCB as he is not getting any place in the playing XI, which has Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, and Josh Hazlewood as overseas player.

Cook feels that Bethell's century against Australia in Sydney showed that he could be the answer to England's opening problems and He should prove his mantle as an opener to the selectors by opting for the role for Warwickshire in County Cricket rather than wasting his time sitting on the bench in IPL.

"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," Cook said on The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket podcast.

"(But) it's not ideal, is it? 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," he added.

Earlier, England opener Ben Duckett pulled out of a contract with Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL to play county cricket and focus on his test revival.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
As an RCB fan, I feel bad for him. We have such a strong overseas lineup, but it's sad to see a World Cup hero just sitting out. Maybe next season, or a mid-tournament trade? 🤔 The experience of being in the IPL setup is valuable too, though.
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Aman W
Typical English mindset, no? First they come for the big money, then they complain about preparation. He knew the competition for places at RCB was tough. Should have chosen a franchise where he had a better chance to play.
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Sarah B
Cook is right from a career development perspective. Ben Duckett made the same choice. Bethell's century against India was scary good! England needs him in form, not losing his rhythm on the sidelines.
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Vikram M
Honestly, even if he's not playing, training with stars like Kohli, Faf, and facing Bumrah in the nets is an education you can't get in county cricket. It's a long-term investment. But I understand Cook's urgency for England's sake.
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Kriti O
This is the harsh reality of franchise cricket. Only 4 overseas slots. RCB paid for him, it's their call. Maybe he'll get a chance if there's an injury. Until then, patience is key. Leaving mid-season doesn't look professional.

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