England's young batting sensation Jacob Bethell is brimming with excitement as he prepares to join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.

Bethell, who was acquired by RCB at the recent IPL mega auction for a sum of Rs. 2.6 crore, attracted interest from several franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, but it was RCB that ultimately secured his signature.

While Bethell will be reunited with his England teammates Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone at RCB, he expressed particular enthusiasm about playing alongside the legendary Virat Kohli. "It's a bit of a given, isn't it? Virat! He's a great of the game so... King Kohli," remarked Bethell with a grin, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The IPL has consistently served as a platform for burgeoning talents to hone their skills and elevate their game to new heights. Bethell echoed this sentiment, stating his ambition to gain invaluable experience from the league. "Any kind of overseas player that's gone over there has come back with a wealth of experience," he added.

Bethell recently showcased his potential in England's opening Test against New Zealand, batting at number three instead of the regular occupant, Ollie Pope. He played a crucial innings-saving 77 on Day 2, indicating his desire to solidify his position as a top-order batsman.

"I like batting up the order so, yeah, I was really happy that opportunity arose," he explained. "I've always wanted to bat in the top four so three is perfect." Bethell further elaborated on his versatility, stating, "I think my game is fit to play any style... On Sunday we saw a bit more of an attacking style. I can also absorb a bit of pressure, so I'm sure at times in my career there will be times to do that as well."

Bethell's Test debut was marked by contrasting performances. While he struggled in the first innings, managing only 10 runs, he bounced back with an unbeaten 50 in the second innings, leading England to a comfortable victory. Reflecting on his experience, Bethell acknowledged the importance of adapting to different conditions and seizing opportunities.

"That's part of the game, isn't it? I saw it [as] if I got through to lunch, it looked like a different pitch after lunch. It does help when you've got Harry Brook batting, he makes it look quite easy," he remarked. "I think it could have been a different story, I battled hard and unluckily didn't make it through to lunch but another day you get through and go on to make a big one."

With England leading the three-Test series against New Zealand 1-0, Bethell will undoubtedly be looking to continue his impressive form and contribute significantly to his team's success in the second Test, commencing on December 6th in Wellington.