Kevin Pieterson has reignited a feud with his former captain Alastair Cook amid debate over England batter Jacob Bethell’s IPL fizzer.
Bethell made a breakthrough century in the final Ashes Test in Sydney, and was selected for Royal Challengers Bangaluru for this year’s tournament.
However, the tournament will reach its halfway point on Saturday, and Bethell is yet to play a match.
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Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Cook said it would be in Bethell and England’s best interest for him to return to the UK and play county cricket.
“He’s not doing anything … ideally he should come back and open for Warwickshire to help England,” he said.
Kevin Pietersen and then-England captain Alastair Cook in Adelaide in 2013. Getty
But Pietersen wasn’t having it, and fired back on X that staying in India would make Bethell a “way better player”.
“Alastair Cook has absolutely NO IDEA what it’s like to be in the IPL, what it’s like to always be around the best players in the world,” Pietersen said.
“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.”
Pietersen and Cook famously fell out after the latter ended the former’s England career following the 2013-2014 Ashes series, in which Cook was captain.
Another user replied to Pietersen’s post agreeing with Cook, and asked what Bethell could be learning by “sitting on his arse every game”.
Pietersen replied with a list.
“By practicing with the best players in the world. By watching very closely the best players in the world. By speaking to the best coaches in the world.
“By building life long friendships with the best players in the world. By acquainting himself with India so that whenever he tours India, it’s easier for him.
“If you think playing a county game in Derby in April is better for his development, I can’t help.”
Jacob Bethell scored a breakthrough century in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Getty
Bethell was batting at first drop when he scored his ton in Sydney, but Cook believes he could also open.
Bethell on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast said he “firmly” believes staying in India is the right call, despite a lack of game time.
“I feel better now than I was a month ago, just from getting time around the guys over here and the pure standard of cricket in India and the IPL,” he said.
“Every nets session you’ve got hundreds of eyes on you – be it your coaches or the other players who are looking at you going ‘Is this guy good? Is he not?’
“You’ve also got the people in the crowd with their phones on. You get exposed to a lot of stuff.”