Former India captain Virat Kohli was spotted meeting Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Jordan Cox at a restaurant in London ahead of the England batter’s long-awaited Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval.

The meeting, which took place a day before Cox is set to receive his maiden Test cap, quickly drew attention on social media, with fans delighted to see the two players reconnect after sharing the dressing room during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL-winning campaign earlier this year.

Fans Speculate Over Kohli’s Advice

Although the details of their conversation remain unknown, many fans speculated that Kohli may have shared words of encouragement with the 24-year-old ahead of one of the biggest moments of his career.

Having spent over 15 years in international cricket and captained India across formats, Kohli is widely regarded as one of the modern greats of the game.

The interaction highlighted the close bond the pair appear to have developed during their time together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Jordan Cox Finally Set for Test Debut

Cox has been named in England’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, marking a significant milestone in the Essex batter’s career.

The right-hander had come close to making his debut in late 2024 but suffered a thumb injury during training, ruling him out of the series in New Zealand.

His selection comes after a strong domestic season, including a double century for Essex in the County Championship that strengthened his case for international honours.

England Make Several Changes

England have made multiple changes to the side that secured a 115-run victory at Lord’s in the first Test.

Alongside Cox, fast bowler Sonny Baker is also set to make his Test debut, while Jofra Archer and Matt Fisher have returned to the side.

The changes follow the absence of captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, who were stood down for disciplinary reasons after England’s celebrations following the opening Test. Ollie Robinson has been ruled out with a knee injury, while spinner Shoaib Bashir has been left out.

RCB Connection Continues

Interestingly, Cox was not part of England’s squad for the first Test and had spent the early part of the English summer as an unused member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s squad during their successful IPL campaign.

The youngster has often spoken about the opportunity to train alongside some of the world’s leading players, including Kohli, during his stint with the franchise.

Cox’s admiration for the former India captain was also evident during the T20 Blast when commentators noticed him wearing Kohli’s signature One8 cricket spikes.

Why Is Virat Kohli in London?

Kohli has increasingly spent time in London with his family in recent years while continuing to travel to India for cricket commitments and commercial engagements.

Since announcing his retirement from Test cricket, the batting star has largely stayed away from the public eye, making each appearance a talking point among fans.

His growing presence in England has led to frequent sightings, with supporters closely following his life away from the cricket field.

Special Moment for Young England Batter

For Jordan Cox, sharing a meal and conversation with one of cricket’s biggest icons on the eve of his Test debut is likely to remain a memorable experience.

Having spent two months learning alongside Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the England batter has repeatedly acknowledged the value of observing and interacting with elite players.

As he prepares to make his Test debut against New Zealand, the meeting with Kohli offered another reminder of the relationships and experiences that have shaped his journey to international cricket.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share