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England great Alastair Cook has revived the debate over Jacob Bethell’s IPL stint, saying international cricket should always come before franchise leagues. His comments have resurfaced after Bethell was ruled out of this year’s The Hundred with a knee injury, denying him valuable match practice ahead of England’s Test series against Pakistan. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast alongside Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik, Cook doubled down on his earlier criticism of Bethell staying in the IPL despite limited opportunities.“What I’m saying, 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 (is sitting on the bench)… I think it’s really important that English cricket is 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,” the former skipper said. Cook also questioned the value of Bethell spending another IPL season on the bench, adding: “So I’m taking it from Jacob Bethel, who sat on the bench the year before and learnt from all those players, who then also sitting on the bench is not playing. I’m sitting here going, my No. 3 to the side I actually really want to win, which is England, no disrespect to RCB and all those franchises, I want England to be the most successful side.“Cook’s comments have gained fresh attention after Bethell suffered a knee injury during England’s ODI series against India, forcing him to withdraw from The Hundred, where he was due to captain Birmingham Phoenix. The setback has also raised doubts over his availability for England’s upcoming Test series against Pakistan.Earlier this year, Bethell defended his decision to remain at Royal Challengers Bengaluru despite limited game time, saying there is “no right or wrong way” and insisting training in the IPL had helped his development even when he wasn’t part of the playing XI.
