Virat Kohli Inspires England's Jacob Bethell in Unforgettable RCB Experience

Virat Kohli Inspires England's Jacob Bethell in Unforgettable RCB Experience

England youngster Jacob Bethell has spoken about the unforgettable experience of opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2025 and 2026.

What happened?

Bethell, who joined RCB after being signed in the 2025 IPL mega auction, shared the dressing room with Kohli during the franchise's back-to-back title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026. Although the young all-rounder had a mixed season with the bat, he said the opportunity to walk out alongside one of the game's modern greats remains a career highlight.

Why it matters for Virat Kohli

Bethell also shed light on Kohli's personality away from the spotlight, saying the former RCB captain is far more relaxed than his fiery on-field persona suggests. "Away from cricket and off the field, he's actually a very chilled individual. Great to talk to, great to spend time around. But it's just that ability to then flip into that competitive nature in and around cricket or training," Bethell revealed.

What comes next?

Bethell's IPL 2026 campaign yielded 163 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 140.52, but the England all-rounder has previously credited Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Dinesh Karthik in a video posted by RCB on their official handle for helping him improve his game, particularly against spin, during his time with the Bengaluru franchise.

Bethell, who was overwhelmed by nerves before his first home appearance in Bengaluru, described the atmosphere as unlike anything he had experienced before. "That was crazy. I remember being really nervous before. It was only my first game in front of home fans. I was nervous to say the least. But as soon as I got onto the ground, I just felt a sense of excitement. I ran drinks for quite a lot of the competition. Looking at the atmosphere and wanting to get a piece of it," Jacob Bethell said.

A sound that's hard to forget

Bethell also recalled the moment he hit his second ball for four, describing it as a sound he had never heard before. "I remember I hit my second ball for four and I have never heard a sound that loud," he added.

Bethell's experience with Kohli and RCB is a testament to the impact that the Indian captain has on his teammates. As Bethell continues to grow as a cricketer, it's clear that his time with Kohli and RCB will be a memorable part of his career.

Bethell's IPL 2026 campaign was a significant improvement from his previous season, and it's clear that his experience with Kohli and RCB has helped him grow as a player. With his talent and dedication, Bethell is sure to make a name for himself in the cricket world.

The experience of playing alongside Virat Kohli at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is one that Bethell will never forget. It's a memory that will stay with him for the rest of his career, and it's a testament to the impact that Kohli has on his teammates.

Bethell's time with RCB may be over, but the memories he made with Kohli and his teammates will last a lifetime.

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