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Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has involved himself in the ongoing feud between former England captains Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook. Pietersen and Cook are going back and forth with young batsman Jacob Bethel.
Jacob Bethell has been appointed England’s new No. 3 in Test cricket, especially after his century in Sydney in January. But Bethel decided to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL instead of going back to England to play the County Championship.
Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen’s fight
Such a “feud” began when Cook criticized Bethel for warming the benches in the IPL. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Cook said it would be better for Bethel to play county cricket for its own development.
When Cook made his comments, Bethel had not played any matches for RCB in IPL 2026, or was “sitting on his *** and doing nothing,” as Cook put it. After this, Pietersen explained to Cook by writing on his X account that Cook does not know what it is like to live in IPL and Bethel should stay in India even if he has not played any match.
Bethel himself responded to the debate by saying that the pressure in an IPL net session was still more than the County Championship could provide on the Sky Sports Podcast. Cook then reiterated his comments, saying that Bethel had to play at some level, and in reality no one would ever criticize the IPL because it lines their pockets.
Jason Gillespie took a dig at Pietersen
Jason Gillespie joins his former Australia teammates and fellow legendary fast bowlers Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming on “The Fast Bowling Cartel” podcast.
Gillespie said sarcastically, “Sir Alistair Cook has the nerve to suggest such a thing.” “KP has made a deep point and said that Sir Alastair Cook’s opinion does not matter because he has never been to the IPL and would not even know.”
Jason Gillespie insisted that Cook made the right point, especially considering that Bethel was not getting playing time. Gillespie said, “I think Sir Alistair Cook had a point, but the way KP harassed him for having an opinion, give me a spell, boys. Absolute nonsense.”
Gillespie continues his sarcastic attack
Jason Gillespie then became even more scathing in his sarcastic attack on Pietersen. Gillespie attacked Pietersen’s past actions, saying that he deserved to play more than 150 Tests, and also the times when Pietersen had prioritized the IPL over his national team and urged others to do the same.
Jason Gillespie said sarcastically, “He thinks he must have played 150 or more Tests. He’s the one who paved the way.” “Thank you, Kevin, for the stars above, the sun, the moon, the earth we walk on and the air we breathe. It was all about the cash for you, Kev. Give me a break, idiot.”
Jacob Bethel in IPL 2026
After all this, Jacob Bethel ultimately could not convert his potential into performance in this year’s IPL. He has played 7 matches in IPL 2026 but has scored only 96 runs at a strike rate of 125.
He later returned to England to assess his finger injury, which he suffered during the IPL, and because he would miss the playoffs and possibly the final.
Also read: “What is he doing?” Sanjay Manjrekar criticizes CSK head coach Stephen Fleming after poor IPL season