Young England Talent Gains Support for Staying in IPL
Jacob Bethell, a young all-rounder from England, has received support from experienced professionals for choosing to remain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) rather than returning to England to play county cricket. His decision has been backed by former England captain Jos Buttler and legendary fast bowler Stuart Broad, who believe that the landscape of modern cricket is different from what it used to be.
The discussion around Bethell’s choice began after former England captain Alastair Cook suggested that the youngster should have returned to England to play county cricket instead of sitting on the bench in the IPL. However, Bethell remained with his franchise, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Considered one of the most promising talents in English cricket, Bethell didn’t see much action at the start of the season. However, an injury to Phil Salt provided him with an opportunity to play in the final few matches of the season.
On the podcast ‘Tuffers and Vaughan’, alongside Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler explained why being in the IPL is beneficial for young players like Bethell.
Buttler said:
“I think unless you’ve played in the IPL and been here and experienced it, it’s very difficult to say that’s the best place to be. I think that old school way of thinking would be, you’re not playing there, get back and play cricket.”
He added that times have changed, emphasizing how modern cricket reflects this shift.
Also Read |
Major Update: Tamim Iqbal Confirms New Tournament in Bangladesh
Buttler further highlighted the importance of contracts and agreements. He mentioned that he had put his name forward to play in the IPL last year and signed a contract that required him to be present.
He concluded:
“I think it’s quite simple to be honest. Times have changed, and that’s the position of the modern game. He’s a brilliant player.”
Stuart Broad agrees that while county cricket remains an essential stepping stone in a player’s career, franchise cricket offers unique benefits that young English cricketers are eager to take advantage of. One key point is that it would be pointless for Bethell to aim for a starting XI spot for RCB if he isn’t physically present in the camp.
Broad stated:
“And ultimately, from his point of view, he is in the England team. His last Test match innings, or Test match, he got a hundred in Sydney,” he added. “He’s not going to get in the RCB team by not being there.”
These comments highlight how far franchise cricket has come and the influence it holds in the global cricketing landscape. While county cricket serves as the foundation of English cricket, competitions like the IPL are proving to be valuable learning experiences. They offer young professionals like Bethell opportunities that might not be available at the county level.
As for his performance, Bethell hasn’t made the impact he hoped for. He scored only 39 runs in three innings and struggled to find his rhythm during his time in the tournament. However, the opinions of his former international teammates show that there is more to consider than just immediate performance. The decision to stay in the IPL reflects a broader understanding of the evolving nature of professional cricket.
