As debate continues over whether some England players are placing the Indian Premier League ahead of Test cricket and domestic commitments, Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicket-keeper batter Jordan Cox has offered a fresh perspective. The England international, who was part of RCB’s title-winning group in IPL 2026, did not step onto the field for a single match during the campaign. Yet Cox described his time in the league as “life-changing,” pointing in particular to the guidance he received from Virat Kohli—an influence he says was far more substantial than he anticipated.
Cox on the IPL as a “life-changing” experience
Speaking in an interview, Cox explained why he believes players should embrace the opportunity to learn at the highest level, even if they are not featuring in every game. He said that if someone has not been part of the competition, they may not understand what it feels like, and he framed the IPL as an education in itself—something he felt he could not afford to pass up.
Cox also stressed that, while Test cricket remains his priority and he wants to take on that challenge seriously, the lessons and the standard of opposition in the IPL made it difficult to say no at the time.
Virat Kohli’s impact: “everything” Cox didn’t expect
A key part of Cox’s reflection was the way he says Kohli helped him behind the scenes. Cox revealed that Kohli would share “every single bit of information” he has, describing it as a level of support he did not expect from someone who has already achieved everything a player could realistically aim for in the sport.
He added that he has had the chance to bat with Kohli in the nets on a few occasions, calling that experience “pretty awesome.” Cox suggested that the combination of Kohli’s knowledge and the day-to-day interaction in training made the IPL stint particularly valuable for him.
How Cox weighed IPL vs Tests
Cox underlined his ambition to pursue Test cricket aggressively, describing it as the biggest format in the sport. Still, he insisted that the IPL’s status as the marquee tournament in the world—and the quality of players involved—made the experience too meaningful to ignore.
- He called the IPL the “marquee competition” globally.
- He said he wants to give Test cricket a “good crack.”
- He argued that the knowledge and player calibre in the IPL were decisive factors during his decision-making.
- He described being part of an IPL team as a dream come true.
RCB role during IPL 2026: not in the XI, but involved
Although Cox was selected within RCB’s squad for the IPL 2026-winning campaign, he did not play a match. He was not included in the playing XI in any RCB fixture. However, he did appear multiple times as a substitute fielder, meaning he remained involved with the side’s matchday proceedings even without batting or bowling.
