Former England captain Kevin Pietersen recently teased Alastair Cook about Jacob Bethell’s tenure with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2026 season. Pietersen mocked Cook when he suggested that Bethel should skip the Indian Premier League mid-season to play county cricket before the English summer.
Cook sparked a major debate by suggesting that Bethell should return to county cricket rather than remain on the bench for Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, England stars like Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad have come out in support of Bethel and his decision to remain committed to the franchise in the ongoing T20 tournament.
It’s very hard to say this is the best place to live – Jos Butler on Jacob Bethel
Jos Buttler said that critics who have not experienced the IPL do not fully understand its importance for player development. Royal Challengers Bangalore initially kept Jacob Bethel on the bench for six matches, before using him as an impact substitute in the last three matches in place of the injured Phil Salt.
“I think unless you have played in the IPL and come here and experienced it, it is very difficult to say this is the best place,” Buttler said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast hosted by Stuart Broad.
“I think the old school thinking would be that if you are not playing there, come back and play cricket. But at the same time, you have put your name in the auction last year. You have signed a contract that you will be here, and you have to honor that contract as well,” Buttler said.
This is the state of the modern game – Jos Buttler on Jacob Bethel
Jos Buttler has backed the young batsman, pointing out that priorities in modern cricket have gone beyond just playing home matches in England.
Buttler said, “To be honest I think it is quite simple. Times have changed and this is the state of the modern game and he is a brilliant player. He will hit a lot of balls and I am sure when he comes back to England we will see him score a lot of runs.”
Stuart Broad echoed the views of Buttler and Kevin Pietersen. He said that Jacob Bethell already has a secure place in the England setup, so a return to county cricket is not necessary at this stage of his career.
“And ultimately, from his point of view, he is in the England team. His last Test match innings, or Test match, he scored a century in Sydney. Not being there will not give him a place in the RCB team,” Broad said.
Oops, that’s weird, Alistair Cook! – Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen reacted to the ongoing debate over Jacob Bethel by supporting Jos Buttler’s stance. He took to social media to take a mild dig at Alastair Cook, who had earlier suggested a return to county cricket.
Pietersen posted on Twitter, “Oops, that’s weird, Alistair! Jose is 100% right!”
Oops, that’s weird, Alistair!
Jose is 100% correct! https://t.co/H0XRz20EB4– Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) 1 May 2026
Bethel has scored a total of 39 runs in three matches at an average of 13.00 and strike rate 150. Bethel got a place in the playing eleven after teammate Phil Salt got injured.
In his most recent encounter against Gujarat Titans (GT), Bethel scored 5 runs in a match where Royal Challengers Bangalore lost by four wickets. The left-handed batsman hit a four but was out on the fifth ball.
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