England’s rising all-rounder Jacob Bethell has credited his two-month stint in India during IPL 2025 with significantly elevating his game. The 20-year-old featured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and had the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with none other than Virat Kohli — an experience he now calls game-changing.
Reflecting on his time in India, Jacob Bethell shared that Kohli’s insights into batting and mental preparation were invaluable. “I feel like I’m a better cricketer now than I was before I went to India. Virat was brilliant. He didn’t hold anything back when it came to sharing advice. All I had to do was ask,” Bethell said during the post-match presentation.
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The young Englishman was drafted into the RCB playing XI when Phil Salt missed a couple of games due to illness. Not only did Bethell make the most of the opportunity, but he also shared the dressing room and batting responsibilities with Kohli at the top order — something he described as an unforgettable experience.
“Batting alongside Virat, feeling that intensity and energy, was incredible. It’s something I’ll carry with me throughout my career,” he told the BBC.
England’s ODI performance against the West Indies on Thursday was a testament to their batting depth, with Bethell playing a key role. Despite no player reaching triple figures, England posted a commanding 400/8 — the highest-ever ODI total without an individual century. Bethell led the charge with a fluent 82, while Ben Duckett (60), Harry Brook (58), and Joe Root (57) also contributed solid fifties.
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In response, the West Indies had no answer. Reduced to 79/5 early in the chase, they were eventually bowled out for just 162. Their highest scorer was tailender Jayden Seales, who remained unbeaten on 29. It was a crushing defeat for the Windies, ending their hopes of pulling off a record chase with over 23 overs still left in the match.
