Jordan Cox may not have played a single match during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning IPL 2026 campaign, but his connection with Virat Kohli was still evident during Kent’s recent T20 Blast clash against Essex. The England wicketkeeper-batter grabbed attention when commentators spotted him wearing Kohli’s signature One8 cricket spikes, sparking a light-hearted discussion on air and highlighting the impact of the former India captain on players around the world.
The moment came during the 52nd match of the T20 Blast at Chelmsford on June 9, where Essex edged Kent in a thrilling contest. As Cox walked onto the field, broadcasters quickly noticed the distinctive footwear and joked that the shoes may have come directly from Kohli after the pair spent the IPL season together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
One commentator remarked that Cox’s first move after returning from the IPL seemed to be wearing Kohli’s shoes, while another humorously questioned whether the spikes actually belonged to the Indian superstar. The exchange drew laughs, with the commentators even joking about whether Cox and Kohli wore the same shoe size.
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Although Jordan Cox did not feature in RCB’s playing XI during IPL 2026, he remained an important part of the squad environment. The English batter trained regularly alongside Kohli and several other senior stars while also serving as a substitute fielder throughout the tournament. The experience offered him a valuable opportunity to learn from one of cricket’s modern greats and observe the preparation levels required at the highest level.
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Cox also shared the dressing room with fellow England youngster Jacob Bethell, who received opportunities during the season. While match time eluded Cox, his exposure to elite players and high-pressure environments is expected to benefit his development.
On the field, Cox played a key role for Essex against Kent. After Essex lost early wickets, he steadied the innings with a composed 40 off 31 deliveries. Charlie Allison then took charge with a brilliant 74 from 47 balls, while Wiaan Mulder’s explosive 29 off just 11 deliveries propelled Essex to a competitive total of 187.
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Kent fought hard in the chase despite early setbacks. Captain Sam Billings produced a superb counterattack, smashing 68 off 38 balls to keep his side in contention. However, Essex held their nerve in a tense finish, restricting Kent to fall three runs short and sealing a dramatic victory. While Essex celebrated an important win, Jordan Cox’s Virat Kohli-inspired appearance became one of the most talked-about moments of the match, offering another glimpse of the lasting influence the Indian batting icon continues to have across the cricketing world.
