Watch: Alastair Cook's heated debate with Mo Bobat & Dinesh Karthik over Jacob Bethell's IPL participation

The former England captain, Sir Alastair Cook, has restarted the heated debate over Jacob Bethell’s stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as he claimed that England cricket would always come before the franchise leagues. He made the comment before the two members of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik. 

Cook’s comments have resurfaced after Bethell has been ruled out from The Hundred 2026 with a knee injury, denying him some valuable match practice ahead of their three-match Test series against Pakistan.

“English cricket more important than IPL”- What Cook said about Bethell's IPL snub

Speaking on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast along with Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik, the former England opener doubled down on his earlier criticism of Bethell staying in the IPL despite limited chances.

Watch Alastair Cook's view on Jacob Bethell's IPL snub- 

“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.” Cook expressed in the podcast.

Cook reckoned that Jacob Bethell should have played a few games heading into the three-match Test series against New Zealand, rather than sitting on the benches in the IPL for the franchise. 

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“That's what I think, and apparently, I'm not allowed to think it, because the IPL is the best tournament in the world. 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.” Cook added in the interaction.

“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.” The southpaw addressed.

Why the debate of Cook restarted with Bobat & Karthik

Bethell had a poor campaign in the IPL 2026 when he managed only 96 runs in seven innings at an average of 13.71 and a strike rate of 124.71 with no half-century on his name at the best score of 27 runs. In his entire IPL career, he drilled only 163 runs at average of 18.11.

In the third Test against the Blackcaps at Trent Bridge, Bethell smashed a fine knock of 74 runs in the first innings. He continued the good form with an unbeaten knock of 76 against India in a T20I in Manchester, followed by a 91-run knock in the third ODI clash at Lord’s.

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Bethell could have come home earlier to prepare for the Test series against New Zealand. But he rather decided to stay back in India and warming the benches for most part of the IPL 2026.

Cricket Twitter splits down the middle — England traditionalists vs IPL advocates

The fans have shown their different views around the social media platforms regarding the debate between England traditionalists and IPL advocates-