New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans had a reason to rejoice on Tuesday after English all-rounder Jacob Bethell took the Big Bash League by storm with a sensational half-century for Melbourne Renegades. Bethell, who was signed by RCB for Rs. 2.6 crore at the Indian Premier League mega-auction in Saudi Arabia, scored 87 off 50 balls to underline his big-hitting credentials. Bethell proved to be the lone warrior for the Renegades, who lost their first three wickets for just 23 runs inside the powerplay.
The talented left-handed batter mixed caution with aggression and unleashed some blazing strokes after getting set to take his team’s total to a respectable 154 for 7 in 20 overs. Bethell’s knock was studded with eight boundaries and four maximums, including two back-to-back sixes off Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Australia pacer Nathan Ellis.
Jacob Bethell is loving the power surge!
Back-to-back bombs! #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/CWKQJGgCdH
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 14, 2025
Some 8️⃣0️⃣s are as good as a century. 🫡
Bethell came through scoring over 5️⃣0️⃣% of his team’s total at a strike rate of 1️⃣7️⃣4️⃣. Well played, champ! 🙌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/4XbqjGGPor
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 14, 2025
RCB bet hopes on Bethell
Bethell was signed by RCB to fill in the shoes of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Will Jacks, who were not retained by the Bengaluru franchise. Bethell boasts a sizzling strike rate of almost 170 in T20Is and can bat in the top and middle order. He is also capable of performing the finisher’s role.
Bethell made a superb Test debut against New Zealand in December, scoring an unbeaten 37-ball 50 in the second innings to play a key role in his team’s eight-wicket win at Christchurch.
The left-handed batter is also a handy left-arm orthodox spinner. The young gun made his T20I and ODI debut in September 2024 against Australia and struck two unbeaten half-centuries in the five-match series against West Indies in November.
He holds the record for the youngest England batter to score a fifty in men’s T20Is, having achieved the feat at the age of 21 years and 17 days during the second T20I against the Caribbean side on November 10.
Jacob Bethell’s knock was studded with eight boundaries and four maximums, including two back-to-back sixes off Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Australia pacer Nathan Ellis. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
