Stokes Strongly Hints at Bethell’s Return for India Series
England captain Ben Stokes has all but confirmed that Jacob Bethell is set to rejoin the England squad for the upcoming five-Test series against India starting on 20 June.
Bethell, 21, made a strong impression during his debut series in New Zealand before Christmas but is currently absent from the one-off Test against Zimbabwe due to his participation in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Stokes indicated that Bethell is very much in contention for a spot against India, suggesting his performances in New Zealand have secured his place in England’s future plans.
“If you’re smart enough to look at the series Beth had in New Zealand, and knowing he’ll be back in the UK for the India series… well, I think you can put two and two together,” said Stokes.
Bethell’s return could come at the cost of opener Zak Crawley or more likely, number three Ollie Pope.
Altering England’s long-standing top order would be a significant decision, especially with the high-stakes India series and the Ashes in Australia looming. However, under the leadership of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England hasn’t hesitated to make bold decisions or prioritize youth. The past year alone has seen experienced players like James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach, Ben Foakes, and Ollie Robinson sidelined in favor of emerging talents such as Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Smith, and Gus Atkinson.
Bethell’s opportunity in New Zealand came after Jordan Cox’s injury, leading to a reshuffle that placed Bethell at number three—despite never having batted higher than four for Warwickshire. Pope, acting as wicketkeeper, dropped down to number six.
Bethell rose to the occasion, registering half-centuries in all three Tests and earning praise for his composure and elegant strokeplay. His 76 in the third Test came during a fiery spell from New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke—a period in which he outperformed even senior players like Joe Root and Harry Brook.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Stokes praised Bethell’s contribution:
“You look at what Beth did in the winter for us—he’s done himself the world of good with those performances and is firmly in our plans moving forward.”
Some may question why centrally contracted Bethell wasn’t made available for the Zimbabwe Test at Trent Bridge. However, removing him from the IPL could have sparked tensions with the BCCI. Moreover, England believe that playing alongside Virat Kohli and opening the batting in a high-pressure environment is proving highly beneficial for his development.
Despite not yet scoring a professional century, Bethell’s showings in New Zealand and white-ball internationals have convinced England of his long-term Test potential. With Crawley and Pope continuing to post modest career averages—30.51 and 34.02 respectively—Bethell is seen as a promising alternative.
Crawley has had a challenging few months, struggling in New Zealand where he averaged under nine and was dismissed in all six innings by Matt Henry. He also faltered in the South Africa T20 league but has recently found some form for Kent, scoring three consecutive fifties.
England have historically overlooked Crawley’s inconsistency, valuing his aggressive approach at the top of the order. His memorable 189 against Australia at Old Trafford and strong partnership with Ben Duckett are notable examples of his impact.
Nonetheless, Pope seems the more likely candidate to be replaced. Despite being reappointed as vice-captain, his recent form has been patchy. In 2024, he produced a stunning 196 in Hyderabad but lacked consistency overall, averaging just 33.13 across the year—low for a batter with three centuries.
After the New Zealand series, McCullum appeared more supportive of Crawley than Pope, emphasizing that selection depends on performance.
“It’s a problem we want to have,” said McCullum. “Our guys know they need to keep scoring runs to earn their spot. When you’re surrounded by strong talent, you have to keep delivering.”
England also value Bethell’s left-arm spin, which gives them tactical flexibility—especially for the Ashes, where spin has traditionally played a limited role. His presence could allow England to field a balanced side without relying on a specialist spinner in Australia.
