After Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad, and Jos Buttler backed England rising star Jacob Bethell’s decision to remain with his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru despite spending most of the ongoing
season on the bench, the debate around his involvement intensified. Batting great Alastair Cook had suggested that Bethell would be better off leaving the IPL mid-season and returning to county cricket if he were not going to feature regularly on the field.
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Rejecting Cook’s view, Pietersen argued that simply being part of an IPL environment and training alongside world-class players would be invaluable for Bethell’s development.
“Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL,” Pietersen posted on X. “What’s 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.”
Defending champions RCB did not include Bethell in their playing XI for the first six matches of the season, but he has since featured in their last three games, scoring a combined 39 runs.
Buttler echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that those who have not experienced the IPL first-hand may struggle to understand what the tournament offers. He also emphasised that Bethell has a contractual obligation to remain with the franchise.
“I think unless you’ve played in the IPL and been here and experienced it, it’s very difficult to say that’s the best place to be,” Buttler said on the For The Love Of Cricket podcast hosted by Stuart Broad. “I think that old school way of thinking would be, you’re not playing there, get back and play cricket. But also, you’ve put your name in the auction last year. You’ve signed a contract that you’re going to be here, and you’ve got to honour that contract as well.”
Pietersen later shared Buttler’s comments while taking a dig at Cook.
“Oops, this is awkward, Alastair! Jos is 100% right!” Pietersen posted on X.
Oops, this is awkward, Alastair!
Jos is 100% right! https://t.co/H0XRz20EB4— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) May 1, 2026
Broad also supported Buttler’s stance, pointing out that Bethell already has a secure place in England’s Test setup for the time being.
“And ultimately, from his point of view, he is in the England team. His last Test match innings, or Test match, he got a hundred in Sydney. He’s not going to get in the RCB team by not being there,” Broad said.
Buttler further added that modern cricket has evolved, and Bethell will continue to benefit from game time and preparation even when returning to England duties.
“I think it’s quite simple, to be honest. Times have changed, and that’s the position of the modern game, and he’s a brilliant player. He’ll be hitting loads of balls, and I’m sure we’ll see him score loads and loads of runs when he gets back to England,” Buttler, who represents Gujarat Titans in IPL, said.
