Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s assistant coach Dinesh Karthik has put his weight behind Jacob Bethell in an argument with former England skipper Alastair Cook over IPL 2026 comments. During IPL 2026, Cook said Bethell should return to England if he is only warming the bench with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

However, Bethell played seven matches for RCB in IPL 2026 at an average of 13.71 and a strike rate of 124.67. The left-hander got his opportunity to open the innings with Virat Kohli after Phil Salt was ruled out with an injury.

Karthik said Bethell had a contract with RCB and he had to honour it. The former Indian wicket-keeper added that if every player flies back home if he is not picked in the final XI, then they won’t have 11 players in the team.

“You say he was sitting there warming the bench. He has a contract in place with RCB, which he has decided to be part of. How do you dishonour the contract which he has chosen to be part of? How do you dishonour it because he is warming the bench? So if every player decided to do that – ‘If you drop me, I am going back home’ – then we will have only 11 players in our environment,” said Karthik on Stick to Cricket YouTube Channel.

“I know he should take a decision. You know Phil Salt is here. I might not play, so I should get back home. Say it not before the season, but before you put your name in the auction. Choose then, and if you get here, decide to play. You can’t say, ‘Oh, I am not playing, I want to go home.”

On the other hand, Cook clarified that he wanted Bethell to have game time under his belt before he played for England. The former England skipper said the success of English cricket is paramount for him.

Meanwhile, Bethell was awarded Player of the Match in the Lord’s ODI against India for his all-round performance with both bat and ball.