Kevin Pietersen mocks Alastair Cook for telling Jacob Bethell to leave IPL, says 'he has absolutely no idea'

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has slammed his ex teammate Alastair Cook for advising Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) Jacob Bethell to leave IPL 2026 season midway and play County cricket instead.

Alastair Cook's wants Jacob Bethell to leave IPL 2026 midway

Unfortunately, England's talented young batter Jacob Bethell has not played a single game for RCB so far in the ongoing season and it seems that the Rajat Patidar-side has found their winning combination with Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Romario Shepherd as primary overseas picks.

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Reflecting on the situation at RCB, Alastair Cook had said that Bethell could have a chance to open the innings for England against New Zealand.

"For that top order batting, the way he played at Sydney, against that attack, in those conditions - I've looked at a player there and I'm certain this bloke can open. If he can bat three, he can open," said Cook on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

Talking further about the circumstances, Cook expressed his doubts on Bethell's form due to lack of game time, suggesting he should comeback and play County Cricket for Warwickshire to have some good batting practice to help England.

"(But) it's not ideal, is it? Bethell shouldn't really be it, because he's not opening. He's sitting on his a*** at the IPL, not doing anything. Ideally he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England," added Cook.

Kevin Pietersen's fiery response to Alastair Cook

Reacting on the advice to Bethell, Kevin Pietersen shared a fiery response, saying the former England skipper has no idea of playing in IPL and asked Bethell to focus on IPL.

"Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it's like to be in the IPL. What's it like to always be around the best players in the world? So his opinion on Jacob Bethell doesn't matter at all. Stay in India, Jacob. I know, even though you're not playing, you're learning and will be a way better player," wrote Pietersen on X (FKA Twitter).

Next challenge for RCB

The Rajat Patidar led side will face Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans in their upcoming IPL 2026 clash on Friday, April 24 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Currently, the defending champions sit at third place with eight points in hand after playing six matches with a net run rate of +1.171.