Jacob Bethell defends his decision to miss the Zimbabwe Test to stay in the IPL, gaining invaluable experience playing alongside Virat Kohli. His solid ODI performance against the West Indies adds fuel to the battle for the No. 3 spot, intensifying scrutiny of the competition with Ollie Pope, who scored 171 in the Test. Bethell is unconcerned about the player selection debate, indicating he is focused on his growth as a player.
Jacob Bethell, the young cricket talent, has no regrets about opting to remain in India for the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of returning to play for England in the recent Test against Zimbabwe. This decision comes as he reflects on the invaluable experience gained from playing alongside renowned Indian cricketer Virat Kohli during his two-month stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Bethell, who previously showcased his skills batting at No. 3 for England in their winter tour of New Zealand, chose to prioritize the IPL over the national Test match.
While Bethell was in India, Ollie Pope made waves back home, scoring a magnificent 171 against Zimbabwe, which helped him bolster his position for the upcoming Test series against India. Bethell acknowledges the challenge posed by Pope’s impressive performance but feels that his time with Kohli was simply too significant to pass up.
“Once I signed that IPL contract, I was away in India until May 26, and that meant I was missing the dates that the Test was on,” said Bethell. He expressed no regrets, asserting he was thrilled to stay and enhance his cricketing understanding. Bethell remarked on the electrifying experience of batting alongside Kohli, noting, “He has an aura. Over the couple of months of chatting to him, you get information that keeps coming. It’s kind of just drip-fed.”
Despite missing the Test against Zimbabwe, Bethell’s IPL experience seems to have enhanced his skills. “I only played the two games, but with the training and facilities, you’re facing quality bowlers day in, day out,” he commented, adding he feels like a better player now than he was before.
His return to England was marked by a solid performance in the ODI against West Indies, where Bethell top-scored with 82 runs off 53 balls, contributing to a commanding 238-run victory at Edgbaston. This innings added to the ongoing scrutiny over Bethell and Pope’s competition for the No. 3 Test position, a debate recently ignited by England’s captain Ben Stokes’s comments regarding team selections.
Before the match against Zimbabwe, Stokes suggested that Bethell would likely return for the India series regardless of others’ performances; although he later clarified this was a reference to the squad in general. When asked about the speculation, Bethell admitted to being somewhat out of the loop while in India, stating, “Not being in England, I didn’t really hear a lot of it until one of my friends messaged me and said the whole thing was going on. Whatever happens, happens.”
In conclusion, Jacob Bethell’s choice to stay in the IPL rather than join the England squad for the Zimbabwe Test highlights the balancing act young players face between national duties and career development opportunities. His experience with Virat Kohli appears to have paid dividends, as reflected in his strong performance upon returning to England. With competition for the No. 3 Test slot heating up, Bethell remains optimistic about his future, regardless of the ongoing debates surrounding team selection.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
