Jacob Bethell Recalls How Virat Kohli Helped Him during RCB Stint

English all-rounder Jacob Bethell shared his IPL experience with RCB, winning the 2025 trophy, and how Indian star Virat Kohli helped him.

Jacob Bethell Recalls How Virat Kohli Helped Him during RCB Stint

English all-rounder Jacob Bethell revealed how Virat Kohli helped him, during his stint with RCB. (via India Today)

English all-rounder Jacob Bethell shared his experience of playing in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as well as revealed how Indian cricket star Virat Kohli helped him out. Bethell was a part of the RCB side, which lifted the 2025 IPL trophy for the first time in history. 

Jacob Bethell has had a memorable last 12 months, from making his international debut across all three formats to securing an IPL contract with RCB, who bought him for INR 2.6 crores. Despite playing only two matches, he saw the team win its first-ever IPL title. Bethell returned with decent numbers of 67 runs in his two appearances, at a strike rate of 171.80, including a half-century against CSK.

His IPL stint came to a premature end, as he had to return home ahead of the playoffs, thereby failing to see his team lift the 2025 IPL title. Bethell returned to join England’s white-ball squad for the ODI and T20I series against West Indies. However, he did get the opportunity to share the dressing room with Indian batting stalwart, Virat Kohli, with whom he shared a brilliant 97-run opening partnership against CSK.

Speaking to Sky Sports about what he learnt from the Indian cricketing legend, Jacob Bethell mentioned that Kohli was always there to help him out whenever he needed it. The Englishman added that the 36-year-old guided him immensely, and noted that it was unbelievable for him to watch Kohli adapt his game according to the demands. Bethell also praised Kohli’s batting instincts while chasing in a T20 match:

It’s been great. [Virat Kohli] was unbelievable with helping me out, and even just the things he didn’t say to me personally, but just watching how he goes about training and how he approaches things.

While pointing to the fact that the RCB icon could shift gears and template the innings, Bethell added that he only has positive memories from his short stint in the IPL, and that he was lucky enough to have access to a player of Virat Kohli’s quality.

Thereafter, owing to a decent IPL debut season for the young all-rounder, it remains to be seen whether he manages to retain his role in the IPL franchise next season. He continued:

Especially like chasing in a T20 game. That was unbelievable to watch just how easily he [Kohli] is able to shift up and down the gears and is able to template an innings depending on what is needed.

Upon his return to England, Jacob Bethell has been in great form, and was even named the Player of the Match in the Three Lions’ first ODI against West Indies, at Edgbaston. The 21-year-old top-scored for his side with a 82-run knock off just 53 deliveries, helping England register a massive first innings total of 400 runs. In the subsequent T20I series, he accumulated 85 runs at a strike-rate of 173.46.

Interestingly, Jacob Bethell’s next outing will be against India, in a crucial five-match Test series against the Men in Blue, starting June 20. Since his Test debut in 2024, he has accumulated 260 runs in three matches, averaging 52 with three half-centuries.

England Secures Third T20I Victory Over West Indies, powered by Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, and Jacob Bethell’s Knocks

England cruised their way to a 3-0 victory against West Indies in a T20I series, with a third straight win over their rivals, by 37 runs. Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell scored crucial knocks, in a powerful T20 batting display by the Three Lions. 

England win over West Indies
Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell powered England to an impressive win over West Indies. (via Cricket World)

Batting first at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England powered their way to their second-highest T20I total of 248 runs. Openers Duckett and Smith forged a 120-run partnership, with Duckett contributing 84 off 46 balls and Smith a rapid 60 from just 26 deliveries. Jos Buttler added in with a quick-fire knock of 22 runs off 10 deliveries, while Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell chipped in 35 and 36 runs, respectively. 

In response, West Indies, despite losing both their openers early on, fought back, thanks to Shai Hope‘s 45 runs off 27 balls and Rovman Powell‘s 79 off 45 balls. However, they fell short by 37 runs, finishing with 211 on the scoreboard.