![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130441431,imgsize-145890,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ipl-2026-rcb-practice-session.jpg\" "\\"RCB's")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFormer England captain Alastair Cook<\/a> has suggested that young batter Jacob Bethell<\/a> should seriously consider cutting short his Indian Premier League<\/a> stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and return to county cricket with Warwickshire, arguing that the youngster is losing valuable development time on the bench.Bethell, who impressed heavily during the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026, had produced a standout performance in the semi-final against India, smashing a century off just 45 balls. That innings remains one of the fastest centuries in the tournament\u2019s history and firmly announced his arrival on the global stage.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Venugopal Rao explains where Delhi Capitals lost the game while chasing a big total<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n However, despite that momentum, Bethell is yet to feature in a single match for RCB this IPL 2026 season. With the franchise relying on overseas options such as Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood, the young left-hander has found himself outside the playing XI.Cook believes that situation is far from ideal for a player at this stage of his career. Speaking on Stick to Cricket podcast, he said Bethell\u2019s ability at the top of the order is already evident and needs to be backed with consistent game time.\u201cFor that top order batting, the way he played at Sydney, against that attack, in those conditions\u2026I\u2019ve looked at a player there, and I\u2019m certain this bloke can open. If he can bat three, he can open,” Cook said.He also questioned the value of remaining on the IPL bench during a crucial development phase.\u201c(But) it\u2019s not ideal, is it? Bethell shouldn\u2019t really be it because he\u2019s not opening. He\u2019s sitting at the IPL not doing anything. Ideally, he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England,\u201d he added.Cook\u2019s remarks come in the backdrop of growing debate around young English players balancing franchise leagues and domestic red-ball development. Earlier, England opener Ben Duckett had also opted out of a contract with Delhi Capitals to focus on county cricket and strengthen his Test ambitions.<\/div>\n