England’s Kevin Pietersen has countered former teammate Alastair Cook’s suggestion for Jacob Bethell to exit the IPL and return to play County cricket. Pietersen argued that Cook lacks insight into the IPL experience, supporting Bethell’s stay in India despite limited game time.
Bethell, acquired by RCB for Rs 2.60 crore in 2025 and retained for 2026, is yet to feature in the IPL 2026 matches. Cook had advised Bethell to consider county cricket over IPL to secure his spot for upcoming Test series, criticizing his idle IPL stint.
Pietersen emphasized the benefits of Bethell’s IPL exposure, highlighting the superior learning environment with the world’s top players. He dismissed Cook’s perspective, asserting that Bethell’s development in India would ultimately enhance his skills and benefit England’s cricketing prospects.
