Kevin Pietersen Defends Jacob Bethell's IPL Stay Amid Rivalry with Alastair Cook Kevin Pietersen has publicly defended Jacob Bethell’s decision to remain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite criticism from former England captain Alastair Cook. The dispute centers on Bethell’s absence from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) line-up in the 2025 IPL, which Cook has questioned on the Stick to Cricket podcast. Cook stated, “He’s not doing anything. Ideally he could come back and open for Warwickshire to help England.” Pietersen responded by writing on X, asserting that Cook lacks understanding of the IPL’s value. “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. 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.” The feud between Pietersen and Cook dates back to the 2013-14 Ashes, when Cook, then England captain, played a key role in ending Pietersen’s international career. Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England between 2005 and 2014, was a vocal advocate for the IPL, often clashing with England management. At the time, the IPL faced skepticism from English cricket authorities, who viewed it as a distraction from domestic development. Cook, who retired from Test cricket in 2018, holds the record for the most runs scored by an England batter before being surpassed by Joe Root. He was knighted in 2019. Bethell, 22, made a breakthrough century in the final Ashes Test in January 2025, earning praise for his performance. However, he has yet to feature for RCB in the IPL, with his last competitive match dating back to 5 March.#indian_premier_league #jacob_bethell #kevin_pietersen #alastair_cook #warwickshire
Kevin Pietersen's Prediction Sparks Debate Over England-India T20 World Cup Semi-Final Kevin Pietersen predicted a New Zealand vs England final on March 8, sparking social media discussions ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final. The former England cricketer’s tweet hinted at England defeating India and advancing to the final, a claim that drew mixed reactions from cricket fans and analysts. Pietersen’s post, which read, “So NZ versus England in the final of the T20 WC on Sunday. Should be a great game……” ignited debate online. While some praised his boldness, others questioned his accuracy, particularly given his South African roots. A Pakistani cricket analyst, Syed Qamar Raza, responded with a humorous quip: “Sasta nasha,” a colloquial phrase meaning “cheap wine,” implying skepticism about Pietersen’s prediction. Raza, known for his support of Pakistan and admiration for Virat Kohli, added a witty jab at Pietersen’s stance: “Bas karde, bhai. Itna to Indian India ko defend nahi krte. Defence minister kyun nh ban jate India ke” (translation: “Stop it now, bro. Even Indians don’t support India this much. Why don’t you become India’s Defence Minister?”). The comment resonated with other Pakistani users, who mocked Pietersen’s apparent bias toward England. An Indian cricket fan countered with a lighthearted remark, suggesting Pietersen “get an Indian jersey” to cheer for India’s victory. Meanwhile, another user pointed out his South African heritage, noting that Pietersen was born in South Africa to an English mother and a South African father. Despite his English cricket career, he never played for the Proteas and moved to England at 20. The user quipped, “Funny how you’re talking big about England when your home country just ‘Chokered’ their way out of another semi-final yesterday.#new_zealand #england #kevin_pietersen #syed_qamar_raza #icc_world_cup
