New Delhi : Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has urged young batter Jacob Bethell to remain in India and continue learning in the Indian Premier League, dismissing criticism from Alastair Cook.
Bethell, 22, has yet to feature for Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season, prompting Cook to suggest he would benefit more from returning to England to play county cricket for Warwickshire.
Pietersen, who previously represented Bengaluru, rejected that view, saying the experience of being in the IPL environment remains invaluable even without immediate game time.
“Alastair Cook has absolutely no idea what it’s like to be in the IPL,” Pietersen said in a post on X. “Stay in India, Jacob. Even if you’re not playing, you’re learning and will be a better player.”
Bethell defended his decision to stay with the franchise, highlighting the unique intensity and quality of the tournament.
“It’s something not many people understand until you’re here,” he told Sky Sports. “Everyone raises their level because of the calibre of the competition, even if you’re not in the starting XI.”
Bethell has emerged as one of England’s brightest young prospects, bolstering his reputation with a 154 in the final Ashes test in Sydney earlier this year despite England’s 4-1 series defeat in Australia.
Cook, however, maintained that regular match practice would better serve the youngster’s development, suggesting he has the potential to become a long-term top-order option for England.
