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A big drama broke out during the podcast after England legend Alastair Cook had an intense discussion with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat over young England batter Jacob Bethell’s IPL 2026 involvement.
The conversation between Cook, Karthik, and Bobat turned into a fiery clash over whether IPL commitments should come before national team preparations.
Cook stood behind England's interests, while Karthik and Bobat defended the value of the IPL experience, leading to a tense but interesting exchange. Amid this, Andy Flower rejects England Test coach role, chooses RCB over ECB.
Mo Bobat brings up the Jacob Bethell controversy
It all started after Mo Bobat pointed out that there had been a huge debate over Jacob Bethell staying with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) instead of joining England early to prepare for the home Test matches against New Zealand.
He suggested that Cook had played a big role in the debate. Mo Bobat said on the Stick to Cricket Podcast, “There was a big fuss kicked up about Bethell, which Cookie kicked off, I think, about Jacob Bethell being at the IPL and not being here to prepare.”
Alastair Cook says England must always come first
The former England captain was tricked by the RCB’s Director of Cricket and made his stand crystal clear by saying England's Test team should always come first. Amid this, Jacob Bethell suffers injury blow, pulls out of The Hundred 2026.
He questioned why one of England's expected No. 3 batters, Jacob Bethell, was sitting on the IPL bench instead of spending valuable time preparing with the national side before such an important Test.
Alastair Cook interrupted and strongly said, “What I'm saying is I think this is where it's really important. I'm here for the test match in a week's time, and one of our No. 3 players (Jacob Bethell) is sitting on the bench... and you can see what I want to do."
"I think it's really important that English cricket be more important than an IPL or a franchise. That's what I think, and apparently, I'm not allowed to think it, because the IPL is the best tournament in the world.”
Dinesh Karthik joins the debate
Dinesh Karthik quickly joined the debate and said that Cook was completely free to express his opinion. However, the RCB mentor and batting coach said that Cook's point of view was fair and deserved to be heard, but everything has two sides.
Karthik noted, "No, it is not" (whether he should not make any comment on the IPL). I think you should by all means say what you said. And I think what you said is very fair.”
Alastair Cook refuses to back down in RCB vs ENG duty row
However, Cook stood by his argument. He explained that Bethell had already spent time learning from senior players while sitting on the bench in the IPL but felt there comes a stage when a player should focus on preparing for national duty.
Cook signed off by saying, “So, I'm sitting here going, my number three to the side, I actually really want to win, which is England; no disrespect to RCB and all those franchises and London Spirit, I want England to be the most successful side.”
One of Stick to Cricket's most heated debates! 🔥
— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) July 21, 2026
You will not want to miss this... 8am tomorrow. 📺 pic.twitter.com/NylsQZ1mTn
