Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma has urged Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s youngster Jacob Bethell not to try to copy his compatriot Phil Salt’s ultra-aggressive approach and play his natural game for the franchise amid ongoing IPL 2026.

In the last two games, Bethell has opened with Virat Kohli after Phil Salt could not make the playing XI due to an injury. Bethell scored 20 runs off 11 balls against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Monday in the run-chase of 76.

“Jacob Bethell’s scenario is such that, apart from the hundred against India, that is the only big innings in his career so far. If you see his numbers from before, it’s like 23 runs off 20, and 34 runs off 30, and all that,” Mohit Sharma said of the RCB youngster on Cricbuzz.

“So, his strike rate compared to Phil Salt, we cannot judge that. Both are opposite players; Bethell is a type of player like RCB had Faf at one time. Even Faf increased his strike rate after a point, but he was always the anchor. If he goes to compete with Phil Salt, it shouldn’t happen that he loses what he already has,” he added.

Meanwhile, RCB registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win against DC after the home team was bowled out for a paltry score of 75 runs. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar wreaked havoc in the Powerplay overs, reducing the opposition to 8-6 as DC’s batting order had no clue against the fast bowlers.

Hazlewood was awarded Player of the Match for returning with figures of 4-12, whereas Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged 3-5 in the three overs he bowled. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.