Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (R) and Jacob Bethell (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: Young England batsman Jacob Bethell is making the most of his time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and taking inspiration from one of the modern day greats of the game, Virat Kohli, who continues to rise during IPL 2026.Bethell, who came on in the last few matches, highlighted the invaluable learning experience of sharing the dressing room with Kohli and other senior figures.
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RCB admit batting failure after narrow defeat | IPL 2026“Watching Virat chase, you understand the art of batting, how to control the chase and not be left out. It’s about shifting gears according to the situation,” Bethell said, offering a glimpse of the lessons he absorbed in the high-pressure environment.The 22-year-old, who is currently in his second season with RCB, also spoke about adapting to the intensity of the Indian Premier League.“When I got to RCB, I was curious about the experience. Watching Virat, Rajat and talking to DK, I realized that the game is shifting here. It is played at a high pace, you have to be aggressive and brave,” he added.A bigger role awaits in Salt’s absenceBethell’s opportunities have increased following the absence of fellow England opener Phil Salt, who returned home for a scan on a finger injury he sustained last month.According to ESPNcricinfo, Salt injured a finger on his left hand while attempting a diving stop during RCB’s clash with Delhi Capitals and traveled back to the UK at the request of the England management. While both the player and the franchise are still hoping for a speedy recovery, his absence has opened the door for Bethell to solidify his spot at the top of the order.From Barbados to BengaluruReflecting on his journey, Bethell said: “I grew up in Barbados, always with a bat and a ball… I moved to England for school, got promoted to Warwickshire and signed my first contract in 2021. A stress fracture set me back but I came back strong… and then I arrived in Bengaluru.”He also talked about handling the attention and spotlight of the IPL. “The spotlight is a funny thing … when people want to watch you play, it’s a privilege.”With RCB sitting second on the table and pushing for a play-off spot, Bethell’s continued development – and his lessons from Kohli – could prove crucial in the coming matches.
