Sawt Falasteen - England's Bethell glad of Kohli influence after 1st ODI heroics

Bethell's expertly-paced 82 off 53 balls on his Edgbaston home ground was the top score in England's 400-8 that laid the foundations for a crushing 238-run win as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in a three-match ODI series on Thursday.

There were few signs of ring rust in what was Bethell's first international appearance in three months after a hamstring injury ruled the 21-year-old out of the Champions Trophy before his IPL commitments meant he missed last week's Test win over Zimbabwe.

Bethell featured just twice for Royal Challengers Bangalore, but on both occasions he opened the batting with India star Kohli, who recently retired from Test duty.

"I can't think of a specific thing he said to me that I was like 'that's what I'm going to remember', but it was just an accumulation over the couple of months of chatting to him," Bethell said.

"I think he quite enjoys the overseas boys because we're pretty chilled around him, but he's definitely got whatever they say nowadays: 'aura'. It was pretty electrifying to walk out with him. He's got a certain intensity, he flips that switch on as soon as he crosses that line.

"It was cool to experience someone of his calibre and how he goes about doing things.

"(The IPL) was a great experience and I've definitely taken a lot for my game. I feel like I'm a better player now than I was a couple of months ago."

Bethell's IPL stint meant England avoided having to choose between him and vice-captain Ollie Pope at number three in the Test against Zimbabwe.

But they could now face a tricky decision ahead of an upcoming five-Test series at home to India, with the issues further complicated by Pope's 171 against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Bethell's focus for the moment is on Sunday's second ODI in Cardiff, where England could complete a first 50-over series win since just before the 2023 World Cup.

"Whatever happens, it will be, and when the time comes, it'll be fine," Bethell added.

"I'm still trying to cement my place in this one-day side and the T20 side. If I get a chance in that Test side, I'll be looking to do the same. I'm just taking it game by game."

Z.AlNajjar--SF-PST