Who is Jacob Bethell? - Meet RCB's new overseas recruit for IPL 2025

Jacob Bethell, the Barbados-born batting allrounder sent shockwaves in the international cricket circuit after he stitched a matchwinning partnership of 90 runs in 47 balls with Liam Livingstone during his second game for England. With a breakthrough season in 2024 for Warwickshire and Birmingham Phoenix, it will be interesting to see how he performs in the upcoming IPL season.

IPL 2025 team? 

Bethell was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the mega auction for ₹2.6 crore. As RCB’s head coach, Andy Flower has stated “Jacob Bethell is a guy with a very high ceiling; our fans will love watching him play.” 

The youngster attracted bids from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings and was ultimately bought by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This selection is a strategic move by the RCB management to ensure a good mix of youth and experience. 

What makes Bethell a great pick?

Being a left-handed batter and an aggressive player, he has a T20I career strike rate of 167.96 with six half-centuries to his name. Adding on, his slow left-arm orthodox spin will be helpful in Indian pitches. 

Hence, he can chip in a couple of overs if needed during the middle stages of the innings. Even in Test matches, he has shown resilience by scoring three half-centuries so far. Therefore, RCB can easily use him in a variety of different roles in their lineup. 

His consistent performances across various formats have piqued the interest of various other T20 franchises as well, as he has signed deals with Melbourne Renegades and Paarl Royals. 

Notable performances

Bethell, in his second game for England, smashed a rapid-fire half-century for England and became the youngest English player to achieve this feat. Moreover, during a Test match against New Zealand, Bethell scored a sublime 96 runs. At the age of 11, he was identified as a talented upcoming batsman by none other than Brian Lara himself.

In conclusion, Jacob Bethell, the Barbados-born batting allrounder, has made a significant impact in the international cricket circuit. Picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹2.6 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Bethell is expected to be a valuable addition to the team. With a T20I career strike rate of 167.96 and six half-centuries, along with his slow left-arm orthodox spin, Bethell brings versatility to the RCB lineup. His consistent performances across various formats and notable achievements, such as becoming the youngest English player to score a half-century in T20Is, make him a promising talent to watch out for in the upcoming IPL season.

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