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New Delhi: Former England captain Alastair Cook has urged England batter Jacob Bethell to leave Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mid-way through the ongoingIndian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season and return to England. Cook believes Bethell is wasting his time on the bench for RCB in the IPL 2026 and should return to playing county cricket with his team, Warwickshire.

Young Bethell enjoyed an impressive run for England in the T20 World Cup 2026 this year. The left-hander smashed a blistering 45-ball century against India in the semifinal to nearly take his team home in a mammoth run chase. He arrived in the IPL 2026 high on confidence after his IPL heroics, but has failed to break into the RCB XI.

Bethell has been warming the bench for RCB in the IPL 2026, having not featured in the franchise’s first six matches of the season. The left-hander batter has failed to make the cut as the defending champions have preferred Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood/Jacob Duffy as their four overseas players.

Amid his current situation, Cook suggested Bethell should quit RCB mid-season. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, the England great praised Bethell’s talent, suggesting he could play anywhere in the top order. Cook said it’s not ideal for the 22-year-old to waste his development phase on the bench and that he should be playing county cricket for Warwickshire.

“For that top order batting, the way he played at Sydney, against that attack, in those conditions…I’ve looked at a player there, and I’m certain this bloke can open. If he can bat three, he can open,” Cook said on the podcast.

“(But) it’s not ideal, is it? Bethell shouldn’t really be it because he’s not opening. He’s sitting at the IPL not doing anything. Ideally, he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England,” he added.

Despite Cook’s suggestions, it remains unlikely that Bethell will quit mid-way through the IPL 2026 season. The England batter has an active contract with RCB after being bought by the franchise for Rs 2.60 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Bethell might have to wait for his chances as an injury to an overseas starter might see him return to the playing XI later this season.

RCB are currently in the second spot on the IPL 2026 points table after a solid start to their campaign. The Rajat Patidar-led side has managed four wins in their first six matches so far this season. Their only defeats have come against the Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Capitals. The defending champions will return to action when they take on Gujarat Titans in their next game on Friday, April 24.