Kohli advice inspires Cox ahead of Pakistan Tests

England batter Jordan Cox has revealed how advice from India great Virat Kohli helped him navigate the pressures of Test cricket as he prepares to take on a new role in the upcoming series against Pakistan. Cox, who shared a dressing room with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru during this year’s Indian Premier League, said the former India captain encouraged him to enjoy the occasion before his long-awaited Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June. The pair met in London shortly before Cox was selected in England’s starting line-up, with Kohli offering a simple but memorable message. “‘Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun,’” Cox recalled in an interview with BBC Sport. Kohli also reminded the 24-year-old to appreciate the sacrifices made by those who supported his journey to international cricket. England’s defeat to New Zealand ensured Cox’s first appearance in Test cricket was not the fairytale he had hoped for, with the wicketkeeper-batter scoring 27 and 25 while batting at number seven. But an injury to Jacob Bethell has handed Cox another opportunity, with England expected to use him at number three for at least the first two matches of the three-Test ICC World Test Championship series against Pakistan. The latest promotion comes after a difficult road to the international stage. In 2024, Cox was just days away from making his Test debut in New Zealand when he suffered a broken thumb during a training session, forcing him to miss the entire tour. Bethell replaced him and subsequently cemented his place in England’s Test side, leaving Cox to wonder whether another opportunity would ever come. “There were definitely thoughts of ‘I’m never going to play again’,” Cox said. The setback left a lasting impression, but conversations with Kohli helped him adopt a broader perspective. Recalling one exchange with the Indian star, Cox said Kohli reminded him not to lose sight of life beyond 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 also praised Kohli’s ability to separate his fierce competitiveness on the field from his personality away from the game. The England batter said he hopes to carry those lessons with him as he prepares for the challenge of facing Pakistan. After spending several months alongside Kohli in India, Cox said the former captain remains someone he can turn to for advice. “He’s someone that I’ll text if I’m ever feeling down or need a bit of help,” Cox said. “He’s always at the end of the phone.” England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue Series schedule First Test: August 19–23, Headingley Second Test: August 27–31, Lord's Third Test: September 9–13, Edgbaston