Jacob Bethell : As the excitement builds for IPL 2026, one of the biggest talking points surrounding Royal Challengers Bengaluru is how they plan to utilize rising English star Jacob Bethell. With his recent performances elevating him into one of the most promising all-rounders in world cricket, fitting him into an already well-balanced RCB lineup presents a fascinating selection dilemma.
Bethell’s Meteoric Rise in International Cricket
Bethell’s reputation skyrocketed following a sensational performance in the semi-final of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup against India national cricket team. His fearless innings nearly pulled off an unlikely victory for England, instantly making him one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the format.
His form since IPL 2025 has been nothing short of exceptional. Bethell has delivered across formats—scoring a Test century during the Ashes series in Sydney, registering his maiden ODI hundred against South Africa national cricket team, and finishing as England’s top run-scorer in the T20 World Cup with 280 runs at a strike rate exceeding 150.
Jacob Bethell’s Recent Performance Snapshot
| Format | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 World Cup 2026 | 8 | 280 | 152.17 | Highest run-scorer for England |
| ODI | — | 100+ | — | Maiden century vs South Africa |
| Test (Ashes) | — | 100+ | — | Century in Sydney |
| IPL 2025 | 2 | 55 | — | 33-ball 55 vs CSK |
Despite these impressive numbers, breaking into RCB’s playing XI is far from straightforward.
RCB’s Overseas Combination: A Selection Puzzle
RCB’s success in IPL 2025 was built on a strong and consistent overseas core. Players like Phil Salt, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd played key roles in their title-winning campaign. Retaining this core makes it difficult to slot Bethell into the XI without making a tough call.
So, how can RCB include him? Let’s break down the possible scenarios.
Option 1: Bethell as an Opener – But at What Cost?
One straightforward approach would be to utilize Bethell at the top of the order. However, this would likely mean dropping Phil Salt.
While Salt had a relatively quiet T20 World Cup, scoring just 130 runs in eight innings, his contributions to RCB last season were crucial. He finished as one of the team’s leading run-scorers and formed a dynamic opening partnership with Virat Kohli.
RCB’s management, including director of cricket Mo Bobat, has publicly backed Salt, highlighting his global ranking and confidence within the squad. Given this support and his established chemistry with Kohli, dropping Salt seems highly unlikely.
That leaves Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 as another possible candidate to make way.
Padikkal enjoyed a strong domestic season, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored heavily at an impressive strike rate. Replacing him would be a bold and potentially risky decision.
Option 2: Middle-Order Inclusion – Who Makes Way?
Another viable option is to position Bethell in the middle or lower-middle order, where he has played most of his T20 cricket.
However, this creates a direct selection conflict with Tim David and Romario Shepherd.
Comparison: David vs Shepherd vs Bethell
| Player | Role | Strength | IPL 2025 Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim David | Finisher | Power hitting | Strike rate 203.22 in death overs |
| Romario Shepherd | All-rounder | Power + bowling | 14-ball 53*, 6 wickets |
| Jacob Bethell | All-rounder | Versatile batting + spin | Emerging match-winner |
Tim David was one of the most destructive finishers in IPL 2025, particularly in the death overs. His ability to accelerate late in the innings makes him a valuable asset.
Romario Shepherd, meanwhile, offers a dual advantage. Not only is he a dangerous hitter, but he also contributes with the ball—something RCB cannot easily overlook given their relatively thin bowling resources.
If Bethell is to be included in this role, David appears the more likely candidate to be replaced. However, dropping a proven finisher from a championship-winning side is never an easy decision.
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Option 3: Playing All Four Overseas Stars – A Risky Strategy
There is also the possibility of including all four overseas players—Salt, Bethell, David, and Shepherd—in the playing XI. While this might strengthen the batting lineup significantly, it comes with serious trade-offs.
To make this combination work, RCB would have to sacrifice an overseas bowler like Jacob Duffy, who is expected to feature in place of Josh Hazlewood during the early phase of the tournament.
This would force RCB to rely heavily on Indian pacers such as Rasikh Salam and Mangesh Yadav, both of whom lack extensive IPL experience.
With only Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the experienced pace option, RCB could find themselves vulnerable, especially on high-scoring pitches.
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Pros and Cons of This Strategy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong batting depth | Weak bowling attack |
| Flexibility in batting order | Over-reliance on inexperienced pacers |
| Maximum utilization of overseas stars | Risk in high-pressure matches |
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Conclusion: A Selection Headache for RCB
The inclusion of Jacob Bethell presents a classic case of “too many options, too few slots.” While his current form makes a strong case for selection, RCB’s settled lineup and overseas balance complicate the decision.
At this stage, the most realistic approach could be a situational rotation strategy, where Bethell is introduced based on pitch conditions, opposition, and team requirements rather than as a guaranteed starter.
However, one thing is certain—Jacob Bethell is too talented to remain on the sidelines for long. As IPL 2026 progresses, it may only be a matter of time before he forces his way into RCB’s playing XI with performances that are simply too good to ignore.
For RCB, the challenge is not just about fitting Bethell into the team—it’s about doing so without disrupting a winning formula.
