Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Virat Kohli was spotted catching up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Jordan Cox at a restaurant in London ahead of the England batter’s long-awaited Test debut. The meeting came just a day before Cox is set to receive his maiden Test cap for England against New Zealand at The Oval.
The sighting quickly caught the attention of cricket fans, with many delighted to see Kohli spending time with the youngster before one of the biggest moments of his career. Having shared a dressing room during RCB’s IPL-winning campaign earlier this year, the pair appear to have maintained a close bond beyond the tournament.
advertisement
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
While the details of their conversation remain unknown, fans could not help but speculate that Kohli may have offered a few words of encouragement to the 24-year-old ahead of his special day. Few players understand the pressures of international cricket better than the former India captain, making the interaction all the more meaningful.
The meeting also highlighted Kohli’s growing presence in England, where he now spends a significant amount of time with his family. Every public appearance by the Indian batting great continues to generate excitement among fans, especially after his retirement from Test cricket.
JORDAN COX SET TO MAKE TEST DEBUT
Cox has been named in England’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, marking a major milestone in the batter’s career. The Essex star will finally get the opportunity he was denied in late 2024 when a thumb injury suffered during a training session ruled him out of a potential debut in New Zealand.
England have made several changes to the side that secured a 115-run victory at Lord’s. Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker are set to make their Test debuts, while Jofra Archer and Matt Fisher have also been drafted into the XI.
The reshuffle became necessary after captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down for disciplinary reasons following England’s celebrations after the first Test. Meanwhile, Ollie Robinson was ruled out with a knee injury and spinner Shoaib Bashir was omitted from the side.
Interestingly, Cox was not even part of England’s squad for the opening Test. The batter spent the early part of the summer as an unused member of RCB’s squad during their successful IPL campaign before forcing his way into contention with a double century for Essex in the County Championship.
The youngster has already attracted attention for his admiration of Kohli. During the T20 Blast, commentators spotted Cox wearing Kohli’s signature One8 cricket spikes, prompting jokes about whether the footwear had come directly from the Indian superstar. Having trained alongside Kohli for two months at RCB, Cox has often spoken about the value of learning from some of the world’s best players.
WHY IS VIRAT KOHLI IN LONDON?
Kohli has increasingly made London his base in recent years, spending much of his time in England with his family while continuing to travel to India for cricket-related commitments and commercial engagements.
Since stepping away from Test cricket, Kohli has maintained a relatively low public profile. As a result, every appearance of the former India captain tends to create a buzz among fans and social media users.
The latest sighting offered another glimpse into Kohli’s life away from the field and showcased the strong relationships he continues to build with younger cricketers. For Cox, sharing a meal and conversation with one of modern cricket’s greatest players on the eve of his Test debut could be a memory that lasts a lifetime.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
