New Delhi: Jacob Bethell, an emerging all-rounder from England, is eager to join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming IPL season. The Warwickshire cricketer, who has showcased his all-round skills in international matches, shared his excitement about being part of the prominent team that includes former Indian captain Virat Kohli.
Bethell, acquired by RCB for ₹2.60 crore during the mega auction, is familiar to RCB supporters. Having been part of the England white-ball teams during their tour of India, Bethell has already experienced strong backing from the RCB fanbase. “RCB is a great franchise, and I’ve felt the love over here,” Bethell said as quoted by Daily Mail. “Every ground I’ve been to, as soon as I walk onto the pitch, they start chanting: RCB, RCB. There’s definitely a lot of support.”
The 22-year-old all-rounder had his first encounter with Indian cricket great Virat Kohli during the ODI series in Nagpur. Following his important contribution of 51 runs and a wicket, Bethell expressed his excitement about the chance to play with Kohli and other cricket legends at RCB. “To play along with the likes of players like that would be really cool,” Bethell shared, acknowledging the chance to play with the cricketing greats.
Bethell also highlighted the personal experience of playing with well-known individuals. “As soon as you play against someone, you realise you’re playing the same game and they can make the same mistakes you can. It’s just that those guys obviously got a lot better at not making the mistakes,” he added.
In the current ODI series against India, he played a vital role in saving England from a difficult situation by scoring an impressive 51 runs after the team had fallen to 111 for four. His aggressive style was evident when he hit a six off Hardik Pandya, followed by a series of runs that demonstrated his capacity to increase the scoring rate when necessary. Although Ravindra Jadeja eventually got him out, his innings underscored his inherent composure and skill in high-pressure scenarios.
The fashionable left-handed player has demonstrated his bowling abilities as well. In the first ODI, Bethell took the wicket of India’s Shreyas Iyer with a traditional slow left-arm delivery, highlighting his promise as a true all-rounder. “I see myself as a genuine all-rounder,” he said, expressed his enthusiasm for making a significant contribution with both bat and ball in international cricket. “Whenever I get the chance to bowl and state my claim, and put us in a good position, I will. It’s a massive part of my package.”
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