RCB Batter Admits Striking A Friendship With Virat Kohli In IPL 2026

Virat Kohli [Source: AP]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) steamrolled Gujarat Titans in the final to lift the IPL 2026 title at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium this past weekend. Seasoned pro Virat Kohli struck the winning blow for the defending champions, as RCB clinched its second successive title in the space of a year.

While young English batter Jordan Cox did not receive a single crack in the RCB playing XI throughout the tournament, the 25-year-old recently stated that he forged a strong friendship with Kohli during their time together in the franchise for two months.

Jordan Cox recalls RCB experience with Virat Kohli in IPL 2026

Jordan Cox was nabbed by the RCB franchise last year in December for his base price. Playing his first-ever IPL season, the cricketer failed to receive a single crack in the RCB playing XI throughout the IPL 2026 season.

Despite not receiving game time, Cox described his stint with RCB as an invaluable learning experience, revealing that he developed a close friendship with Virat Kohli and cherished the opportunity to share the dressing room with one of the game's modern greats.

Also Read- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's Team India Joining Date Revealed For Afghanistan ODIs

While speaking on ESPNCricinfo, the young batter praised the former Indian captain for sharing his experience during RCB’s nets session.

Jordan Cox said “He will give you every single bit of information he has in his brain to try and help you, which for me was something that I didn't expect… For someone like that who's achieved everything you'd want to achieve in the game, he gives you everything.”

Apart from Virat Kohli, Cox also praised fellow Englishman Phil Salt and stated that the two senior players helped him improve his spin game.

The 25-year-old added “I've been lucky enough to bat with VK a few times in the nets, which has been pretty awesome. Even batting with Salty [Phil Salt], someone that's been the No. 1-ranked T20 batter in the world, to learn different types of shots and types of opportunities to take down bowling: I feel like my game [against] spin has gone to another level now.”

What’s next for Jordan Cox?

After spending the entirety of the IPL 2026 season on the sidelines, Jordan Cox has flown back to England. He will soon be expected to play for England Lions in their upcoming One-Day Series against South Africa A.

He will also be aiming to find his way back into the England team for the upcoming white-ball series against Team India, and the Test series against Pakistan right after the 2026 Hundred season.

Cox has not played a single international for England since their away T20Is against New Zealand last October.

RCB script history by winning IPL 2026

RCB crushed Gujarat Titans by five wickets and with two overs to spare in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad a few days ago. Virat Kohli bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award for striking 75* runs off 42 balls with nine boundaries and three huge sixes, including one to seal the deal.

Earlier in the game, RCB bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-29), Josh Hazlewood (2-37) and Rasikh Salam (3-27) restricted the Titans to just 155-8 in 20 overs.

The outcome helped RCB script history, as they became only the third side to lift successive IPL titles after Mumbai Indians and CSK.

Also Read- LSG, MI Worst, Who's Best? IPL 2026 Team Ratings