Cox carrying Kohli's advice into Pakistan Test series

England wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, who was a team-mate of India great Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru during this year’s Indian Premier League, recalled a valuable piece of advice from the 37-year-old batting stalwart just before making his Test debut.

The pair had caught up in London before Cox was named in the XI against New Zealand at The Oval in June. Kohli’s message was simple: embrace the occasion.

“I probably don't want to share all of them, but I just wanted to ask him a few questions,” Cox told BBC Sport.

“He was saying: 'Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun."

“Family and friends, everything they have worked hard for, every time they have come to a game to support you, show them something why they have done all that sacrifice for you.”

Cox's debut wasn't fruitful. He made scores of 27 and 25, batting at No.7 as England suffered defeat in south London.

With Jacob Bethell ruled out with a knee injury, the wicketkeeper-batter has now been handed a new role at No.3 for at least the first two Tests of the three-match ICC World Test Championship series against Pakistan.

For Cox, the chance represents another step after a difficult journey to Test cricket.

Back in 2024, when he was just three days away from making his debut in New Zealand, he broke his thumb in the nets, ruling him out of the entire series.

Ironically, Bethell took his place back then and subsequently established himself in England’s Test side.

Cox admitted there were times when he wondered whether an opportunity would knock on his door a second time.

“I was three days away from playing my first Test and then got injured, which was just unlucky, a freak incident," Cox recalled.

“There were definitely thoughts of 'I'm never going to play again'.

“I had that Test cap right there, then I couldn't get it. It felt like that was the end, as bad as that sounds.

“I remember talking to Virat about it. He said: 'There are billions of people who don't even know who I am. The sun will come up in the morning - I don't really care'.

“Obviously he cares when he goes out on to the field of play, because he's crazy on the field. When he comes off the field, he's one of the nicest guys you'll meet.

“It's about how I can be like that. How can I be really aggressive on the field, then when I come off everyone says 'He's a great bloke'?”

That perspective is something Cox intends to retain as he takes on a greater responsibility against Pakistan when England take them on in the upcoming Test series.

“I'll keep it forever, I think," Cox added.

“He (Kohli) is someone that I've looked up to and I've managed to spend what felt like four months with him in India. He's someone that I'll text if I'm ever feeling down or need a bit of help. 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