Virat Kohli was spotted catching up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Jordan Cox in London ahead of the England batter's long-awaited Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval.
A video of the pair meeting at a restaurant quickly gained traction on social media, with fans delighted to see the former India captain spending time with the youngster before one of the biggest moments of his career.
The meeting comes just months after Kohli and Cox shared a dressing room during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden IPL title-winning campaign. While details of their conversation remain private, the interaction highlighted the bond the two developed during their time together in Bengaluru.
Jordan Cox Finally Gets His Chance
For Cox, the meeting capped an emotional build-up to a landmark
occasion.
The 24-year-old has been named in England's playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval and is set to make his long-awaited debut after a frustrating wait.
Cox was on the verge of earning his first Test cap during England's tour of New Zealand in late 2024 but suffered a thumb injury in training that ruled him out before the series began.
Since then, the Essex batter has worked his way back into contention through consistent performances in county cricket, including a double century earlier this season.
England's decision to hand Cox a debut reflects the faith they have in one of the country's most promising young batters.
Virat Kohli's Influence On The Next Generation
Cox has never hidden his admiration for Kohli.
During his stint with RCB, the youngster had the opportunity to train alongside one of modern cricket's greatest players for nearly two months. He has previously spoken about how valuable those experiences were in helping him understand the demands of elite-level cricket.
The connection between the two has been evident even away from the field. During the T20 Blast earlier this year, commentators spotted Cox wearing Kohli's signature One8 cricket spikes, prompting plenty of discussion among fans.
Their latest meeting in London offered another glimpse into that relationship as Cox prepares for the biggest challenge of his career.
Why Is Virat Kohli In England?
Kohli has spent increasing amounts of time in London in recent years, where he lives with his family for large parts of the year.
Since retiring from Test cricket, the former India captain has largely stayed away from the spotlight, making every public appearance a talking point among fans.
His meeting with Cox once again underlined the impact he continues to have on younger cricketers, even after stepping away from the longest format.
For Cox, sharing a meal and conversation with Kohli on the eve of his Test debut could prove to be the perfect confidence boost before stepping onto the field at The Oval for the first time in England colours.
