‘I want England to win’ - Alastair Cook reignites Jacob Bethell IPL debate after England batter's injury setback

Former England captain Alastair Cook has once again questioned Jacob Bethell's decision to stay with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the IPL, stating that international cricket should always take precedence over franchise leagues.

Cook's remarks have resurfaced after Bethell was ruled out of this year's The Hundred due to a knee injury, a setback that has denied him valuable match practice ahead of England's upcoming Test series against Pakistan. The injury sustained during the ODI series against India has also cast doubt on his availability for the red-ball assignment.

Speaking on a podcast with Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik, Cook reiterated his stance, arguing that England's priorities should come ahead of the IPL.

"What I'm saying, I think this is where it's really important. I'm here for the Test match in a week's time, and one of our No. 3 players (is sitting on the bench)... I think it's really important that English cricket is more important than an IPL or a franchise. That's what I think, and apparently, I'm not allowed to think it, because the IPL is the best tournament in the world," the former skipper said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

Cook also questioned whether another season on the bench in the IPL was beneficial for Bethell's growth, stressing that regular game time would have been more valuable.

"So I'm taking it from Jacob Bethel, who sat on the bench the year before and learnt from all those players, who then also sitting on the bench is not playing. I'm sitting here going, my No. 3 to the side I actually really want to win, which is England, no disrespect to RCB and all those franchises, I want England to be the most successful side."

One of Stick to Cricket's most heated debates! 🔥 You will not want to miss this... 8am tomorrow. 📺

Jacob Bethell withdraws from The Hundred with knee injury

Earlier this year, Bethell had defended his decision to remain with RCB despite getting limited opportunities in the playing XI. The young batter said there was "no right or wrong way" to approach such situations and maintained that training alongside some of the world's best players in the IPL had contributed significantly to his development, even without regular match time.