England batter Jordan Cox is drawing on guidance from Virat Kohli as he prepares to take on a more prominent role in England’s Test side against Pakistan at Headingley. Cox, who spent time alongside the former India Captain at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has remained in contact with Kohli and is set to bat at No. 3 for at least the first two Tests of the three-match series.
The opportunity comes with Jacob Bethell sidelined by a knee injury and England undergoing significant change following Ben Stokes’ retirement. Cox has already experienced both the frustration of having a Test opportunity taken away by injury and the breakthrough of eventually making his debut, with Kohli becoming a source of guidance during that journey.
Cox builds lasting relationship with Kohli
Cox joined RCB this year as the franchise defended its Indian Premier League title. Although the 25-year-old did not feature in a match, his time with the team gave him the opportunity to build a relationship with one of the players he had long admired.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Cox said, “I’ll keep it forever, I think. He’s someone that I’ve looked up to and I’ve managed to spend what felt like four months with him in India. He’s someone that I’ll text if I’m ever feeling down or need a bit of help. He’s always at the end of the phone.”
Their connection extended beyond the IPL when the pair met in London before Cox made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June. The Essex batter entered the side as part of a substantially changed England line-up following the nightclub incident involving Stokes and Gus Atkinson.
Cox recalled, “I probably don’t want to share all of them, but I just wanted to ask him a few questions. He was saying: ‘Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun’.”
He added, “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 went on to score 27 and 25 while batting at No. 7 on debut, although England lost the Test.
Injury setback shaped Cox’s Test journey
His eventual debut followed a missed opportunity in New Zealand in 2024. Cox, then with Kent, had been positioned to replace Jamie Smith while the wicketkeeper-batter was on paternity leave, but broke his thumb during a net session and was ruled out of the entire series.
The vacancy instead went to Bethell, who subsequently established himself across England’s Test, ODI and T20I teams. Cox had been only days away from his own first Test appearance when the injury intervened.
Cox explained, “I was three days away from playing my first Test and then got injured, which was just unlucky, a freak incident. There were definitely thoughts of ‘I’m never going to play again’. I had that Test cap right there, then I couldn’t get it. It felt like that was the end, as bad as that sounds. 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’.”
Kohli has also provided Cox with an example of how to separate competitive intensity from life away from cricket.
Cox continued, “Obviously he cares when he goes out on to the field of play, because he’s crazy on the field. When he comes off the field, he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet. It’s about how I can be like that. How can I be really aggressive on the field, then when I come off everyone says ‘He’s a great bloke’?”
England hand Cox a bigger role against Pakistan
Cox now moves from No. 7 on debut to No. 3 as England reshape their Test side. Bethell’s absence has created the opening, with Cox told he will occupy the position for at least the first two matches against Pakistan.
The changes extend across the England set-up. Stokes announced his retirement during the third and deciding Test against New Zealand in June, while Brendon McCullum was subsequently removed as Test coach following England’s series defeat.
Stephen Fleming is due to take over during the winter, leaving interim coach Marcus Trescothick in charge for the Pakistan series opener. Joe Root, meanwhile, is beginning his second stint as Test Captain.
Dan Lawrence has been recalled to bat at No. 6 and provide an off-spin option, while England could select four frontline pace bowlers. Atkinson and Josh Tongue were travelling from London after playing in The Hundred final, with Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson also among England’s pace options.
England target turnaround against Pakistan
Weather could influence England’s selection and the opening Test, with rain forecast in Leeds and Monday’s preparations already affected by unsettled conditions. The hosts had yet to name their final team as they assessed their available seamers.
England enter the series seeking to improve a recent record of two victories from 10 Tests. Pakistan, meanwhile, are pursuing their first series victory in England for 30 years, with Babar Azam ruled out through injury, while Shan Masood has been declared fit. Salman Ali Agha is set to lead the side in Babar’s absence.
For Cox, the immediate opportunity is a significant promotion in England’s batting order. Having previously seen a potential debut disappear through injury, the 25-year-old is now set to begin the Pakistan series at No. 3 with a place secured for at least the opening two Tests.
