England’s Rising Star Makes His Mark in First ODI Against West Indies
Jacob Bethell’s journey from the IPL sidelines to starring for England in a dominant ODI win over the West Indies is proof of how invaluable international exposure can be even when it doesn’t come with regular game time.
The 21-year-old all-rounder smashed an explosive 82 off just 53 deliveries in the opening match of the ODI series, helping England to a commanding 238-run victory. He also contributed with the ball, picking up 1 for 18 in a complete performance that earned him the Player of the Match award.
IPL LESSONS AND LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES
Bethell’s form was impressive considering his limited on-field time in the IPL. Despite spending two months with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he only featured in two mats,ches though he did notch a maiden IPL fifty in his final appearance against Chennai Super Kings.
During that stint, he shared a 97-run opening partnership with none other than Virat Kohli. For Bethell, that experience alone was transformative.
> “It’s pretty electrifying to walk out with him,” Bethell said of Kohli. “He’s definitely got that… whatever the kids say these days… ‘aura’.”
TRAINING, TRAVEL AND TROUBLES WITH HOTEL BEDS
Even without consistent match time, Bethell insists the experience in India made him a better cricketer.
> “I feel like I’m a better player now than I was a couple of months ago,” he said, crediting the top-tier training facilities and high-quality net sessions at RCB.
One challenge, though, was the constant travel and hotel stays.
> “The only thing I struggle with is the beds. A lot of them are too soft. I’ve got a bad back and I’m only 21—we need to sort that out!” he joked.
SPIN STRATEGY AND POWER EVOLUTION
Back in England colours, Bethell’s development was on full display against the West Indies, especially in how he tackled spin—traditionally a stumbling block for England’s white-ball side.
He scored 10 runs off four balls from left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, including the only boundary Motie conceded—a slog-sweep into the stands.
> “I don't want to give away everything,” Bethell said. “But watching how batters in the IPL pick length and target certain deliveries was a big learning point.”
Bethell noted he’s working on blending power hitting with finesse, especially against slower bowlers, to become a more complete batter.
LEARNING FROM A LEGEND
While many young players may idolise Kohli from afar, Bethell had the rare chance to interact with the Indian icon both on and off the field.
> “He was just cool to be around. It wasn’t just about cricket; we chatted a lot in general. He’s got this way of drip-feeding advice that sticks with you,” he explained.
What stood out most was Kohli’s ability to switch into game mode instantly.
> “He flips that switch as soon as he crosses the line. It’s pretty cool to see someone with that intensity,” Bethell said.
STILL CHASING THE NUMBERS
Despite his breakout ODI performance, Bethell’s professional stats are still modest compared to the early achievements of the man he looks up to. By the age of 21, Kohli had already scored eight international centuries. Bethell is yet to register a ton in any format, with Thursday’s innings his fourth-highest score in 119 career innings.
Still, there were glimpses of something special in his approach—calculated aggression, a calm demeanour, and the ability to control the tempo of an innings.
A NEW SELECTION DILEMMA FOR ENGLAND?
Bethell’s performance also comes at an interesting time for England, as discussions heat up about the balance of their Test and white-ball sides. Just last week, Test captain Ben Stokes was asked about Bethell’s future role in the setup, especially in light of Ollie Pope’s recent 171 against Zimbabwe.
Now, with Bethell throwing his name into the conversation with a standout ODI knock, England’s selectors may face more difficult decisions ahead.
