England star Jordan Cox shared his first meeting with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend Virat Kohli and the huge learnings from the superstar during IPL 2026. Cox was part of RCB’s title-winning squad as well. He was acquired by RCB during the IPL 2026 auction for ₹75 lakh as well. He was among the few overseas players who had joined the camp early ahead of the start of the season. He also shared meeting Kohli on the same flight and introduced himself as well.
“I went a week earlier, and I wanted to take the experience and see what it was like. So I remember I went about a week earlier and me and Virat were on the same flight. I didn’t know him at the time there, but I introduced myself and the first week of training was literally only few of the overseas guys. I really got to know the locals on a different level. The first thing I asked Virat was what’s it like to play Test cricket? What do you need, mindset-wise, or physically or mentally, to play at the highest level? We hit for four weeks in a row, batting together in the nets. I was hitting white balls, but I was actually training red ball,” he said on ‘For The Love Of Cricket’ podcast.
“I asked him what’s it like batting in Australia. Some of the tips he gave me, stuff that, when I do get that opportunity, will be like I’m grateful for his honesty,” he further added.
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As Jordan Cox was on the bench for the entire IPL 2026 season, he faced a lot of criticism from several cricket pundits for choosing the league and not gaining any game time as well. However, Cox explained his decision and added that he had registered himself for the auction much before he knew he would be playing red-ball cricket for England as well.
“People were like he’s not interested in red-ball cricket, which is a lie. I chose the IPL ages ago and put myself in the auction before I knew about red-ball cricket or my chances to play Test cricket. I took that on the chin and sat on the bench for two months, but the learning I gained from that was probably the best I have gained on a cricket field. I know I did not play, but the learning and quality of training out there is just second to none,” he said.
“Every single part of my game felt different. I reckon two weeks into the IPL, I don’t think I’ve hit the cricket ball as good as that in my career. The quality you are facing – Hazlewood, Bhuvi, in the nets, Jacob Duffy, people who have got a wealth of international cricket, facing them every day in the nets, you are going to get better naturally. The quality of net bowlers is absolutely incredible. They would get into any of our first-class counties,” he concluded.
