Birmingham [UK]: Promising England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has lavished praise on Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, calling it “electrifying” to bat alongside him during his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Bethell, who played two matches for RCB, impressed with a blistering half-century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), scoring 55 runs and sharing a crucial 97-run partnership with Kohli. Reflecting on the experience, Bethell said that batting with the Indian great was unforgettable.
“He has definitely got that presence. When he walks out to bat, it’s electrifying,” Bethell said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“You get information from him in a sort of drip-fed way — on and off the field — just by chatting over time. It was cool to experience someone of his calibre and see how he goes about things.”
The 21-year-old added that Kohli’s intensity and mindset made a lasting impression.
“He has a certain intensity that switches on the moment he crosses the boundary line — it’s quite cool to see,” Bethell added.
Bethell Shines in ODI Victory Over West Indies
Bethell’s comments came after a stellar all-round performance in England’s emphatic win over West Indies in the first ODI, where he scored 82 off 53 balls (8 fours, 5 sixes) and took a wicket. His explosive knock and one scalp earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Chasing a mammoth 401-run target, the Windies were bundled out for 162 in just 26.2 overs, with Jamie Overton (3/22) and Saqib Mahmood (3/32) wreaking havoc. Earlier, England’s batters dominated, with contributions from Joe Root (57), Ben Duckett (60), Harry Brook (58), and Will Jacks (39), along with Bethell’s fiery knock.
A Rising Star on the International Stage
Bethell’s rise through international cricket has been rapid. Since making his England debut across formats last year, he has accumulated:
- 756 runs in 23 international matches at an average of 39.78
- 8 half-centuries, with a top score of 96
- 9 wickets, with best bowling figures of 3/72
In ODIs alone, he has scored 300 runs in 10 matches at 37.50 average, with three fifties and six wickets to his name.
He credits the IPL experience with sharpening his game.
“I feel like I’m a better player now than I was a couple of months ago,” said Bethell.
“The net bowlers, practice facilities, and just being around top players really helped.”