There were a lot of expectations from Jacob Bethell, the England batter, coming into IPL 2025, and many saw him coming as a big hitter, either at no. 3, or somewhere in the middle-order. But the 21-year-old just got two chances in the competition for RCB, which they eventually went on to win, and Bethell returned with a good-looking 50.
Overseas Problems for RCB in IPL 2026?
But with Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Tim David and Josh Hazlewood, all turning up well for RCB, where does it really leave Jacob Bethell? One can be rest assured that the batter won’t really be released, but then does he make that playing XI, with four other strong contenders fighting it out for their spots?
Well, it might just be too early to speak about that, but Bethell’s maiden ODI ton vs South Africa in the third ODI at Southampton, doesn’t really leave much choice with the RCB think tank, but to give him a serios thought. The guy can bat, power-hit, be a perfectly good left-arm spinner too.
Jacob Bethell Comes Good with Maiden ODI Ton
In short, a good selection headache. Talking about his ton vs SA, eventually he scored 110 from just 82 deliveries that included 13 fours and three sixes. To have that kind of a strike-rate in ODIs, is even more staggering, and only goes on to show, that he can wreak havoc in T20s.
Till now, he has played 13 T20Is for England and has scored 281 runs including two fifties — and average of 40 and a strike-rate of 154. Once again, the ball is in RCB management’s court, but this showing by Bethell will certainly have an effect of their decision-making, before and during the IPL 2026.
