RCB’s Jacob Bethell to Return to England Due to Injury, Prioritizes Test Series Against New Zealand
RCB’s Jacob Bethell to Return to England Due to Injury, Prioritizes Test Series Against New Zealand
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has advised Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Jacob Bethell to return to England due to a finger injury, prioritizing his recovery for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Vaughan’s Advice
Vaughan’s remark comes after Bethell missed RCB’s loss to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Friday with a finger injury. Vaughan believes that it is best for Bethell to return to England so that he can be fit in time for England’s Test series against New Zealand next month.
The first Test of that series will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 4. Vaughan said that Bethell should return to England, especially if he’s injured, so that the England team management could assess his injury and decide whether to field him at Lord’s.
Bethell’s Performance in IPL 2026
Jacob Bethell has not had any significant success in IPL 2026. Despite RCB finishing at the top of the points table, Bethell has struggled with his form. In 7 matches this year, he has made just 96 runs at an average of 13.71 and a strike rate of 124.67. His highest score has been just 27, and he has crossed 20 just twice.
Implications for England’s Test Series
As it stands, Bethell is likely to bat at No. 3 for England in the match against New Zealand. If he is not available, then one of James Rew or Joe Root could play at that slot in his place.
Vaughan went on to say that while he completely believes that the IPL is helpful for young players like Jacob Bethell, he doesn’t think the southpaw should stay in India, especially since England’s training camp is coming up.
Vaughan said,
Conclusion
Jacob Bethell’s return to England due to injury is a setback for RCB, but it prioritizes his recovery for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. With England’s training camp coming up, it is imperative for Bethell to be back with the team and get assessed by the team management.
Rohan Kapoor is a cricket editor and sports content analyst based in New Delhi with over 6 years of experience covering IPL, T20 leagues, and international cricket. He specializes in match analysis, player statistics, and tactical breakdowns, bringing data-driven insights to modern cricket audiences across India.
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