RCB lose their biggest X-factor before playoffs

• Jacob Bethell will miss the rest of the IPL due to a finger injury
• The England and Wales Cricket Board approved his return to the UK
• His selection for the Test series against New Zealand is under review

Jacob Bethell missed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) last league game in the IPL, which was against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), after sustaining

a left ring finger injury. He will play no further part in the competition as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed with RCB that the talented youngster will return to the United Kingdom.

Bethell's injury will be assessed and monitored closely by England's medical team after his return to the United Kingdom, as a subsequent call will be taken regarding his selection to the Three Lions' side for the first Test at Lord's against New Zealand, starting on Thursday, June 4.

Both RCB and ECB confirmed the development through their social media handles. The latter wished a speedy recovery for the batting all-rounder.

"𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: Jacob Bethell sustained an injury to his left ring finger during our game against PBKS. He will return to England to be assessed ahead of their Test series. 𝙶𝚎𝚝 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗, 𝙹𝙱! 𝚆𝚎’𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍," RCB wrote on 'X' (formerly Twitter).

Royal Challengers Bengaluru@RCBTweets

🚨 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: Jacob Bethell sustained an injury to his left ring finger during our game against PBKS. He will return to England to be assessed ahead of their Test series. ❤️‍🩹 𝙶𝚎𝚝 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗, 𝙹𝙱! 🫂 𝚆𝚎’𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞

08:03 PM · May 23, 2026

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Bethell played seven matches during IPL 2026. He scored only 96 runs at an average of 13.71 and a strike rate of 124.68. The 22-year-old's bowling abilities weren't needed by RCB.