Playing alongside one of the greatest cricketers of the modern era is an experience few young players get to enjoy early in their careers. England batter Jacob Bethell was one of those fortunate names after joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he shared the dressing room with Virat Kohli. While Kohli’s intensity on the field has been admired for years, Bethell offered fans a different perspective by revealing what the Indian batting icon is like behind the scenes and why his influence extends far beyond scoring runs.
The youngster also reflected on how much he learned from spending time around Kohli, describing him as a leader whose presence elevates everyone in the dressing room. From team meetings to match-day preparation, Bethell explained that Kohli’s professionalism and willingness to share knowledge left a lasting impression on him during his stint with the franchise.
Jacob Bethell reveals what Virat Kohli is really like inside the RCB dressing room
Speaking on the Super Over podcast, Bethell described Kohli as a calm and approachable personality away from cricket, despite his aggressive and animated presence during matches. According to the England batter, Kohli has an incredible ability to switch between being relaxed off the field and becoming fiercely competitive the moment training or a game begins. Bethell also highlighted how every aspect of Kohli’s lifestyle revolves around achieving peak performance, allowing him to consistently maintain the high standards that have defined his legendary career.
Although Kohli was not the captain during Bethell’s time with RCB, the youngster stressed that the former skipper remained one of the biggest leaders within the squad. He explained that Kohli regularly contributed during team meetings, offering valuable tactical insights and sharing experiences that younger players eagerly absorbed.
“Away from cricket and off the field, he’s actually a very chilled individual. Great to talk to and great to spend time around. But he has that ability to flip into that competitive nature around cricket and training. He wasn’t captain when I was there, but he’s a massive leader within the team. In team meetings, he shares unbelievable information. When you’re around people like that, you just want to soak everything in,” he said on podcast.
Bethell recalls unforgettable Chinnaswamy atmosphere alongside Kohli
Bethell also looked back on his first IPL appearance at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, calling it one of the most unforgettable moments of his career. The left-hander admitted he was extremely nervous before walking out to bat, especially in front of RCB’s passionate home supporters. However, those nerves quickly turned into excitement once he stepped onto the field alongside Kohli. Bethell revealed that the atmosphere inside the stadium was unlike anything he had experienced before, with every corner packed with fans creating deafening noise.
He particularly remembered striking his second delivery for a boundary and being overwhelmed by the roar from the crowd, saying he had never heard anything as loud in his cricketing career. Sharing the crease with Kohli in front of a packed Chinnaswamy only made the experience even more special for the young England batter.
“I remember being really nervous before. But as soon as I got onto the ground, I just felt excitement. We were walking out to bat together and the place was bouncing. I hit my second ball for four and I have never heard a sound that loud,” he concluded.
Bethell’s reflections once again underline Kohli’s enormous influence within the RCB setup. While his performances with the bat continue to make headlines, the England youngster’s comments highlight the leadership, professionalism, and mentorship that have made Kohli one of the most respected figures in world cricket.
