While he failed in the first innings, Bethell lived up to the potential in the second dig by scoring a fabulous fifty.
Jacob Bethell has been a talking point since Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) acquired him for INR 2.60 crores in the IPL 2025 auction. There was an intense battle between them and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but RCB eventually outbid them to get his services for the next edition.
He has again proved his worth on his Test debut during the first game between New Zealand and England in Christchurch. Despite having a little First Class cricket experience and no century in red-ball format, England decided to draft him in the Test squad and handed him a Test debut.
While he failed in the first innings, Bethell lived up to the potential in the second dig by scoring a fabulous fifty. He accumulated 50 runs in just 37 balls, including eight boundaries and a maximum, at a strike rate of 135.14.
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His knock helped England chase the target of 103 in just 12.3 overs, which is the least number of overs taken to chase a 100+ total in Test cricket. England had a run rate of 8.21 in this innings, the highest ever in a 100+ run chase, and Bethell’s knock was vital in helping England script history in Christchurch.
Why did RCB buy Jacob Bethell in the IPL 2025 auction?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were desperate to get Jacob Bethell during the IPL 2025 auction and went hard after him before eventually getting him. The main reason was his superior spin game, for Bethell is known to handle spin well and can bat at different gears against them.
While RCB already had Rajat Patidar as their spin-hitter, they required another similar option for this role, preferably at No.3. Bethell fit perfectly in that category, and his pace game is also quite good, making him an all-round option who can bat at No.3 or 4.
There will be a toss-up between Bethell and Tim David for the fourth overseas spot. RCB’s three overseas stars are set to be Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Josh Hazlewood.
It will eventually depend on how they want to form their side, but RCB would be pleased with a problem of plenty. Jacob Bethell should get an opportunity at some stage in the tournament.
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