Buttler slams 'old school way of thinking', backs Bethell for choosing IPL over county cricket: 'Times have changed'

Jacob Bethell has found more support for staying in the Indian Premier League (IPL) rather than going to his home country and play the ongoing County Championship. Former England captain Jos Buttler and legendary English fast bowler Stuart Broad have both backed Bethell's decision to stay in India for the IPL.

Earlier, former England captain Alastair Cook had said that Bethell should be playing county cricket instead of warming the bench in the IPL. However, Bethell defended his decision of staying in India even as he sat on the bench.

Now, Buttler and Broad have also offered him support, saying that times have changed in cricket and the traditional thinkers cannot fully capture it.

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Buttler backs Bethell

Bethell, who has been hailed as the next big thing in English cricket, did not get a chance early in the season to play for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, with regular opener Phil Salt getting injured, the young left-hander has featured in the last few games.

Buttler, who is playing for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, said that those who have not had the experience of IPL will not be able to judge the nature of the tournament.

“I think unless you’ve played in the IPL and been here and experienced it, it’s very difficult to say that’s the best place to be,” Buttler said in podcast with Stuart Broad. “I think that old school way of thinking would be, you’re not playing there, get back and play cricket.”

He also said that since Bethell had signed a contract, he had to honour the commitment as well.

“But also, you’ve put your name in the auction last year. You’ve signed a contract that you’re going to be here, and you’ve got to honour that contract as well.”

“I think it’s quite simple, to be honest. Times have changed, and that’s the position of the modern game, and he’s a brilliant player,” Buttler added.

Broad also agreed with Buttler's assessment and said that Bethell can only get into the RCB side if he stays in India not by going back to England.

“And ultimately, from his point of view, he is in the England team. His last Test match innings, or Test match, he got a hundred in Sydney,” Broad said. “He’s not going to get in the RCB team by not being there.”

Bethell is yet to fire this season, having scored only 39 runs in three innings so far.