Kevin Pietersen has criticised Sir Alastair Cook for advising Jacob Bethell to leave the Indian Premier League due to a lack of game time. Bethell, 22, has not played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru so far this season, despite his recent successes for England, including a century in the Ashes Test in Sydney and a stunning 105 against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final.
Cook had suggested Bethell should return to county cricket to safeguard his place for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, rather than 'sitting on his a*** not doing anything' at the IPL. However, Pietersen, a former England batsman and IPL veteran, dismissed Cook's advice, stating: 'Cook has absolutely no idea what it's like to be in the IPL. So his opinion on Jacob Bethell doesn't matter at all.'
Bethell himself addressed the situation on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, acknowledging the challenge of balancing rest and match practice. He noted that after last year's IPL, he returned to England feeling 'flying' and performed well against West Indies. He emphasised the value of being around top players and the high standard of cricket in the IPL, even when not in the starting XI.
Bethell is expected to feature in England's first Test against New Zealand starting June 4 at Lord's. He has been linked with a move to open the batting, but expressed a preference to remain at number three, drawing on Joe Root's example of shifting positions for the team. 'I'd love to stay at three, if it's up to me,' Bethell said, adding he would be happy to open if required.
