Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has completely disagreed with Sir Alastair Cook’s advice to Jacob Bethell about leaving the Indian Premier League (IPL) and returning to England to play in the County Championship.
The 22-year-old is yet to play a single game for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this season. With Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Tim David and Josh Hazlewood all set to remain the four overseas players that the defending champions use, Cook advised Bethell to pull out of the IPL and represent Warwickshire in the County Championship as an opening batter.
Pietersen, however, hit back at his former England captain’s statement and insisted that Bethell stay put in India, where he will learn a lot more than playing domestic cricket back home. The former player-turned-pundit also criticised Cook for not understanding the importance of the IPL since he has never featured in the tournament.
“Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL. What’s it’s like to always be around the best players in the world. So his opinion on Jacob Bethell doesn’t matter at all. Stay in India, Jacob. I know, even though you’re not playing, you’re learning and will be a way better player,” Kevin Pietersen posted on X (previously Twitter).
Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL. What’s it’s like to always be around the best players in the world.
So his opinion on Jacob Bethell doesn’t matter at all.
Stay in India, Jacob. I know, even though you’re not playing, you’re learning and…— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 23, 2026
Pietersen also claimed that the County Championship is not as competitive as it was 25 years ago.
“If county cricket was as strong as it was in the late 90s and early 2000s, I’d also want Bethell back playing it now. But, it’s NOT! It’ll benefit England more by him being in India, and he’s already shown that,” he added in a second post.
Bethell has been one of England’s best batters across formats in recent times. The left-hander scored 154 against Australia in the fifth Ashes Test match in Sydney before hitting 105 in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup against India last month.
Cook asks Bethell to return from IPL and play in England
With England’s opening slot set to be up for grabs this summer due to Zak Crawley’s persistent poor form, Cook advised Bethell to move up one place from number three to open the innings against New Zealand in the upcoming Test series on home soil.
