Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s strategic play and aggressive approach secured them the services of Barbados-born English batting sensation Jacob Bethell ahead of teams like Hyderabad and Punjab worth 2.6 cr in the mega auction of the Indian Premier League 2025. RCB team management’s bold bet reflects legendary cricketer Brian Lara’s observation that the young player he saw in the Caribbean was “much better” than him at the same age, emphasizing Bethell’s significant potential.
On the purchase of Bethell, RCB head coach Andy Flower said: “Jacob Bethell is a guy with a very high ceiling. I think when he plays, our fans will love to see him play. Left-handed, beautiful striker of the ball, timer of the ball, hits well over extra cover, sweeps spinners hard, pushes fast bowlers and will not only be important for us as a batsman this year, but there is also a potential for him to grow and then for us to reap rewards as well in the years to come.”
The 21-year-old prodigy is impressing everyone with his remarkable skills, especially highlighted by his T20 statistics. He has played seven T20 matches and scored a total of 173 runs in six innings, at an impressive average of 57.66. Bethell’s highest score is an unbeaten 62, and he has an astonishing strike rate of 167.96, demonstrating his ability to score quickly and intelligently. The youngster has also already hit two half-centuries, hitting 14 boundaries and 10 sixes, demonstrating his assertive and bold style of play.
English cricket legend Nasser Hussain recently commented on Bethell’s potential in a television interview. He said: “…When he came in, they looked at Duncan Fletcher, my old manager, the old England manager, who used to talk about the national team being an investment in the future. I’m going to invest in this guy now. What are my returns? Not just tomorrow, this week, but in a year, in five years. That is why they see the national team as an investment for the future. And they see this guy as someone worth investing in…”
England captain Ben Stokes also praised Bethell’s potential: “He’s an incredibly talented boy with a high ceiling. You can see something very special about him, like when he faced Hazlewood and hit that ball with his front foot. Those little moments show that he has what it takes. “We don’t make decisions on a whim, there is thought and process behind it, and we are excited to see it come to fruition.”
This talented all-rounder has all the qualities to become a future leader with skill and talent that fits perfectly with RCB’s bold vision for the game of cricket. His potential to develop and make a lasting impact, evident by his rise in English cricket in such a short time, is exactly what RCB have been looking for in their next generation of players, whom they bought as part of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. .
England great Alastair Cook, someone who has seen the 21-year-old prodigy up close, said: “He has looked totally at home in international cricket, which is extraordinary for a guy who has barely played any cricket really. He seems to be made of the right stuff, his technique seems pretty simple, not too many movements, no big trigger pulls and he seems to have great control.”
Adding to his burgeoning reputation, former England cricketer Ian Bell called Jacob Bethell “the best 17-year-old” he had ever seen when the youngster first broke through.
RCB’s decision to invest in Jacob Bethell highlights the team’s commitment to the future. By recruiting young talents like Bethell, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Swastik Chikara and others, and with the guidance of the organisation’s top cricketing minds, including the exceptional Virat Kohli, RCB is gearing up for an exciting display.