England batter Jordan Cox is preparing for an important opportunity as he moves up the order for the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. The 25-year-old has already experienced the disappointment of missing out on a Test debut through injury, before finally making his international bow earlier this year.
Ahead of the three-match series, Cox opened up about the conversations he had with Virat Kohli during their time together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), revealing how the former India captain helped him deal with the pressure surrounding his Test ambitions.
Jordan Cox reveals Virat Kohli advice ahead of Pakistan Test
Cox and Kohli spent time together at RCB during IPL 2026, although the England batter did not feature in a match. The pair developed a close relationship, with Cox able to turn to Kohli whenever he needed advice. Before Cox made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval, Kohli encouraged him to enjoy the occasion rather than become overwhelmed by its significance.
“Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun,” Kohli told Cox.
The former India captain also reminded Cox of the sacrifices made by his family and friends throughout his journey. Cox said the advice is something he intends to carry with him permanently.
“I’ll keep it forever, I think. He’s someone that I’ve looked up to,” Cox said.
Cox set for bigger role at No. 3
Cox will now have another opportunity to make his mark after being promoted to No. 3 in England’s batting order. He scored 27 and 25 while batting at No. 7 on his Test debut, but will have greater responsibility against Pakistan following Jacob Bethell’s absence. The Essex batter has previously experienced a difficult setback in his Test journey. He was close to making his debut against New Zealand in 2024 but suffered a broken thumb in the nets just days before the match. Cox recalled speaking to Kohli about the disappointment, with the Indian great encouraging him to maintain perspective away from cricket.
“He said: ‘There are billions of people who don’t even know who I am. The sun will come up in the morning’,” Cox recalled.
England will enter the Headingley Test with a changed leadership and coaching setup. Joe Root has taken over as captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement, while Marcus Trescothick is serving as interim coach before Stephen Fleming takes charge in the winter. The hosts will also be looking to improve their recent Test record, having won only two of their last 10 matches.
