[WATCH] Ravichandran Ashwin praises RCB youngster as new superstar ahead of ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

Due to England captain Ben Stokes’ injury, get ruled out of the fifth Test of the five-match series against India at the Kennington Oval in South London, the management had to go with Ollie Pope as the new captain, besides bringing new players in the side. They are already ahead after the first four games with a margin of 2-1. 

The former India spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has hailed the left-arm spin all-rounder, Jacob Bethell, from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as the new superstar of world cricket in the future. The 21-year-old, who made his debut against New Zealand last year, has smashed 260 runs in six innings, including three half-centuries.

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‘The cricketing world is about to witness another superstar. There is no doubt that he will become one. Yes, I am talking about Jacob Bethell. Jacob Bethell will take Ben Stokes’ place, and I truly believe he is a very talented player. He is a brilliant batsman and can also bowl a bit of left-arm spin.’ Ashwin expressed in a video on his YouTube channel, which has gone viral.

Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin hails RCB youngster ahead of ENG vs IND 5th Test

One of those fifties was a fine knock of 96 runs during the second affair, when he narrowly missed the chance to celebrate a deserving century. Once Jamie Smith returned to the playing eleven after being unavailable for the series, Bethell was dropped from the eleven and later the squad. However, at Oval, he will be England’s front-line spinner in the absence of Liam Dawson.

Ravi Ashwin “We’ll get to see a cricketing superstar in the 5th Test. I have no doubt he’ll become one – yes, I’m talking about Jacob Bethell. I truly believe he’s an exceptional talent: brilliant with the bat and handy with his left-arm bowling."
Anna ykb @ashwinravi99 ❤️🫶 pic.twitter.com/pMTjNnheqQ

— Vinay (@yaarkyakaruu) July 31, 2025

Apart from the red-ball performances, the Barbados-born featured in 12 ODIs to score 317 runs at a strike rate of nearly 90 and 12 T20I innings for 281 runs at a strike rate of around 155 with two half-centuries.

Playing under Rajat Patidar in the IPL 2025, the young campaigner drilled 67 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 171.79 with one half-century at the best score of 55 runs. With the Ashes 2025/26 trip awaiting him this winter, he will look to deliver an incredible performance and secure his ticket to Australia.