Royal Challengers Bengaluru replaced the injured Phil Salt with his English compatriot Jacob Bethell, giving the latter an opportunity to feature for the franchise in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. For Bethell, getting into RCB is a huge learning curve, as it has given him exposure to express himself in the biggest leagues in the world.
He says how he has learnt the art of chasing any kind of total while opening the innings alongside Virat Kohli. Bethell says that sharing the dressing
room with his RCB teammates has made him realise how much of a shift the game can see. The Warwickshire all-rounder further believes that being with the Royal Challengers has taught him to play with a lot more aggression while also being brave enough while playing.
"When I got to RCB, I was curious about the experience. Watching Virat [Kohli], Rajat [Patidar], and speaking to DK [Dinesh Karthik], I realised the game shifts here. It’s played at a high tempo; you have to be aggressive and brave. Watching Virat chase, you understand the art of batting and how to control a chase and stay not out. It’s about shifting gears based on the situation,” Bethell stated.
Bethell also highlighted his experience about the culture of cricket in India and how there has been a lot of information available for youngsters at a very young age regarding the sport. The young English cricketer says that the way he has gathered a lot of limelight around him despite playing a very limited amount in the IPL is a feeling of privilege.
“People here love talking about cricket. It’s more hands-on, with more information shared. The passion and volume of cricket at a young age is incredible,” he expressed. "The limelight is a funny thing; life is still the same, but when people want to watch you play, it’s a privilege. I don’t know how many people in India would be calling me Starboy. It’s pretty incredible,” he added.
