RCB's Bethell unfazed by IPL County debate in 2026 season

Bethell insists the IPL boosts his growth despite Cook’s red-ball advice and lackluster starts for RCB in 2026.

Marquee event status The speaker described the upcoming tournament as the premier cricketing event of the season, featuring the world’s finest players. He expressed confidence that participating would not harm his career but instead propel his development. The speaker firmly believes the experience will benefit him more than hinder him. This outlook comes ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Raipur fixture in the 2026 IPL. ## Cook's red-ball advice The debate was reignited by Alastair Cook, who suggested the batter would advance more by playing red-ball cricket instead of spending time in the IPL. Kevin Pietersen countered this view, asserting the IPL environment uniquely accelerates growth for young cricketers. Cook’s remarks followed a stretch where the batter did not play in any of RCB’s initial six games of the season. Since then, he has featured in four matches as an opener, though runs have been tough to come by. ## Bethell’s stance on opinions He acknowledged that people are entitled to their views and that differences in perspective are normal. From a personal standpoint, he believes he has chosen the correct path for his career. When pressed on external criticism, he maintained his resolve and stated his contentment with his current situation. The Raipur leg marks the IPL’s return to the city after ten years as RCB’s host venue. ## World Cup heroics and RCB opportunity Before the IPL began, his explosive century against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final sparked talks about his potential inclusion in RCB’s playing XI. Initially, this did not materialize, but Phil Salt’s finger injury later presented an opening. In his four appearances so far, his scores have been 14, 20, 5, and 4 respectively. Despite the slow start, signs on Saturday reassured management of their faith in him. ## Kohli’s early support He was the first batter to join Virat Kohli in the nets during RCB’s brief training session in Raipur, which was cut short by heavy rain. While he appreciates the backing, he does not take it for granted. He admitted he has not delivered the innings he aimed for, which has not helped the team’s cause. His primary goal remains to bat aggressively at the top and set a strong platform for the side. ## Finding batting rhythm He described the pursuit of batting perfection as nearly impossible and acknowledged the difficulty in finding rhythm without sufficient middle practice. His focus has shifted to making an impact in the next game rather than dwelling on past performances. He admitted his start to the tournament has not matched his expectations but emphasized that only the next game matters. His approach centers on executing well from the first ball onwards, trusting that consistency will follow over time. ## Form scrutiny and captain comparisons When questioned about his form, scrutiny, and commentary from former England captains, he laughed off a comparison made by AB de Villiers to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He responded, “I'm not sure about Vaibhav [comparisons]. To be honest, I don't think I've ever scored 50 in 14 balls or whatever.” He found it flattering that de Villiers mentioned him in such terms. The chance to open with Virat Kohli has been a highlight since joining RCB last season, something he has repeatedly praised. ## Kohli’s influence and pressure relief He reiterated how advantageous it is to bat alongside Kohli and be part of the team’s environment. He does not believe this adds pressure to Kohli but instead values having a player of his caliber in the squad. He noted that when Kohli is at the crease, much of the focus shifts to him, allowing others to play with more freedom. This dynamic, he feels, reduces individual pressure and fosters a more relaxed atmosphere for the rest of the team. ## Top four selection As the press interaction concluded, he was asked to name his top four players. The specific names were not revealed in the exchange, but the question highlighted the topic of personal cricketing preferences amid ongoing discussions about team composition and player roles.