England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox made his Test debut against New Zealand in June 2026 under unprecedented circumstances as Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were unavailable due to investigation into their infamous nightclub incident. Before his Test debut at The Oval, Cox met his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) senior Virat Kohli in London for a coffee. Photos and videos of their meeting went viral on social media. While Cox couldn’t make a mark on Test debut, he has got a chance to be England’s no.3 batter in the upcoming Test series at home against Pakistan. The 25-year-old got the opportunity in the absence of his England and RCB teammate Jacob Bethell as he has been ruled out of the first two Tests due to injury. Ahead of the opening Test, Cox revealed what Kohli told him ahead of Test debut.
"He was saying: 'Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun'.
"Family and friends, everything they have worked hard for, every time they have come to a game to support you, show them something why they have done all that sacrifice for you," Cox revealed in a conversation with BBC Sport.
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Cox did not get a game for RCB in the IPL but he was often named in the list of players who can be picked as an impact player. He often fielded in the IPL 2026 edition and became part of RCB's second consecutive title win.
Ahead of the Test against Babar Azam-led Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, Cox is looking to lean on Kohli's advice. He revealed that he texts the former India captain whenever he is feeling down and needs help. Kohli doesn't disappoint him and is available on phone.
What did Kohli say about Cox’s missed Test debut in 2024?
Cox also recalled how he talked about his missed Test debut opportunity in 2024 when he was set to replace Jamie Smith who was on paternity leave. But, an injury had ruled him out of the Test which led to Bethell making a name for himself.
"I remember talking to Virat about it. He said: 'There are billions of people who don't even know who I am. The sun will come up in the morning - I don't really care'," he recalled.
Cox in unfamiliar territory at no.3
Cox is familiar with a few Pakistani players. Before he was picked by RCB, he had played one Pakistan Super League (PSL) season for Islamabad United. While he registered scores of 27 and 25 on Test debut at no.6, he will have a chance to prove himself as a top-order batter. It is a new role for him in red-ball cricket.
His first-class cricket numbers are impressive with 4,145 runs, averaging 43.17, scoring 12 centuries and 14 fifties.