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"I Felt The Energy": RCB's Bethell Credits 'Intense' Virat Kohli For Edgbaston Blitz Vs WI

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli and Bethell [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Virat Kohli and Bethell [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

England's rising star Jacob Bethell delivered a career-best 82 off 53 balls against West Indies at Edgbaston on Friday, May 30, propelling the hosts to a colossal 400/8 before sealing a 238-run victory, England’s largest ODI margin by runs. 

The 21-year-old opener, named Player of the Match, attributed his explosive performance to lessons learned from Virat Kohli during his IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this year. 

Bethell Admits Kohli's Influence

Reflecting on his IPL experience, Bethell emphasised Kohli’s influence in the post-match presentation.

"I was always going to be in the IPL after I signed that contract. I watched the boys do well from afar and really enjoyed it. Virat was great. He was happy to share lots of advice with me and Andy Flower was a great coach, too. I felt the energy when I went out to bat with Virat and that is something I will take into my game, that intensity,” Bethell told BBC.

Bethell’s innings featured eight fours and five sixes, dismantling the West Indies attack after he was bought by RCB for ₹2.6 crore in the 2025 mega auction.

His brief IPL tenure saw him open alongside Kohli in two matches, notably adding 97 runs in 59 balls with the Indian icon during a 55(33) knock against Chennai Super Kings. His IPL campaign was curtailed to join England’s ODI squad, but the technical and mental insights from Kohli visibly fuelled his match-defining innings.