Jacob Bethell is using his stint at Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a real-time education in modern T20 batting, drawing inspiration from Virat Kohli while he looks to establish a bigger role for himself in IPL 2026. The 22-year-old England batter has been stepping up in recent outings, and his comments underline how much value he is getting from training and living the craft alongside seasoned campaigners.
Key takeaways
- Bethell credits Virat Kohli’s batting during chases as a masterclass in managing momentum and staying composed.
- The England batter says IPL demands bravery and aggression, with batters needing to adjust quickly to the game’s pace.
- His chances have grown after Phil Salt returned home for medical scans related to a finger injury.
- Bethell describes his path from Barbados to England and then into IPL life, including a setback from a stress fracture.
- He views the IPL spotlight as a privilege, even as the attention can feel “funny” at times.
Learning the chase: from Kohli’s example
In Bengaluru, Bethell has been absorbing the finer details of batting at the highest level. He points to the clarity you gain by watching Kohli go after targets—particularly how to control a chase and keep wickets in hand. Bethell suggested that the key is learning how to shift gears depending on what the match situation calls for, rather than following a fixed plan throughout an innings.
That approach, he believes, is closely tied to how IPL cricket is played. Bethell noted that when he joined RCB, he was eager to understand the environment and the standards expected at the franchise. By watching Kohli and Rajat Patidar, and through conversations with DK, he learned that the tournament runs on intensity and urgency. In his view, the league’s tempo forces batters to be assertive, take on the moment, and play with courage.
Opportunity grows with Salt sidelined
Bethell’s rise has also come with an important opening in the RCB batting unit. Phil Salt, another England opener, has been unavailable after returning to the UK for scans on a finger problem. Salt injured a finger on his left hand during RCB’s match against Delhi Capitals, after attempting a diving stop.
England’s management requested Salt’s return, and while both Salt and the franchise remain hopeful for a swift recovery, his absence has created a clearer pathway for Bethell to press for a spot higher up the order. With more responsibility likely to fall to him, his recent form and the lessons he has taken from senior players could carry extra weight in the coming stretch.
From Barbados to Bengaluru—and thriving under the spotlight
Bethell also reflected on his journey and the background that shaped him as a cricketer. He said he grew up in Barbados, spending his time with a bat and ball, before moving to England for school. From there, he progressed through Warwickshire and secured his first professional contract in 2021.
His progression was interrupted by a stress fracture, but he described how he returned strongly and eventually made his way to Bengaluru for his IPL chapter. He also spoke candidly about life under IPL attention, saying that the limelight can be “funny”—because the fact that people want to watch you play is ultimately a privilege.
With RCB currently positioned second in the standings and pushing hard for a playoff berth, Bethell’s continuing development—and the practical guidance he is picking up from Kohli—could become increasingly significant as the tournament progresses.
