Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Jacob Bethell says he feels his game is growing in confidence as he begins his second season with the franchise. The 23-year-old English batter, currently building his reputation in the IPL, spoke candidly about his path from his early days in Barbados to the fast-paced demands of cricket in India, along with the lessons he has taken from senior teammates at RCB.
Bethell’s path to the IPL spotlight
- Bethell described growing up in Barbados where he was “always with a bat and ball,” adding that he took the sport more seriously around ages 10-12.
- He said he moved to England for school, progressed through Warwickshire, and secured his first professional contract in 2021.
- After a stress fracture temporarily stalled his progress, he explained that he returned strongly, earned an England call-up, and then arrived in Bengaluru.
Discussing life in the public eye, Bethell said the spotlight can be “a funny thing.” He suggested that day-to-day life remains similar, but when crowds want to watch you play, it becomes a privilege. He also reacted with amazement to the attention he receives in India, noting that he does not know how many people there are calling him “Starboy,” and calling it “pretty incredible.”
Adapting to the RCB environment
On settling into the IPL, Bethell said that when he first joined RCB he was curious about the experience. He pointed to watching Virat Kohli and interacting with Rajat Patidar and DK, explaining that he quickly realised the game shifts in this league. According to Bethell, it is played at a high tempo, and success requires aggression and bravery.
He also spoke about what he has learned from Kohli’s approach to batting, particularly in chase scenarios. Bethell said watching Kohli run down targets helps him understand how to manage a chase and stay at the crease, describing it as about changing gears depending on the situation.
Bethell further discussed India’s cricket culture, saying people here love talking about the game. He noted that it feels more hands-on because more information is shared, and he called the passion and the noise around cricket from a young age “incredible.”
Regarding day-to-day work with the coaching group, Bethell said Andy Flower observes closely and speaks only when necessary, adding that players listen more when he does. He also singled out DK for quick recognition of what matters, saying DK is excellent at spotting key details and identifying scoring areas fast.
What he wants from his second year
Bethell said his mindset for the IPL is simple: he wanted to be better than the year before. He stressed that whether a player gets opportunities in a few matches or many, the deciding factor is hunger, and he called the tournament “marquee.” In his view, if you do not improve in the IPL, “when will you?”
He also recalled the feeling of walking out in front of RCB fans alongside Kohli, describing the experience as loud and intense. Bethell said you have to remain fully switched on from the moment you enter the field.
Andy Flower backs Bethell’s ceiling
RCB head coach Andy Flower added his assessment of Bethell’s potential. Flower said his first view of Bethell came during the Under-19 World Cup, where he saw a batter with genuine flair. He explained that the franchise targeted Bethell early because he believes the player has a mature cricketing mind and won’t be intimidated or bullied by anyone—an attitude Flower described as common in top performers.
Flower also highlighted the importance of filtering information at this level, saying Bethell does it exceptionally well. He concluded that the IPL and the RCB setup will stand Bethell in excellent stead, and he expects “great things” from him, adding that Bethell is ready not only to compete with the best, but to thrive alongside them.
