Virat Kohli’s Quiet Afternoon in London Disrupted by Unwanted Attention
Virat Kohli’s attempt to have a peaceful afternoon in London with his Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate, Jordan Cox, turned into a lesson about life in the spotlight. The England batter shared that their private meeting was unexpectedly interrupted when photos of them surfaced online.
In a recent conversation with The Guardian, Cox described how he met Kohli at a cafe just before his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval last month. They talked about cricket, nerves, and Kohli’s personal journey leading up to his debut for India in 2011.
Cox noticed he felt unusually calm before such a significant match. Kohli reassured him, saying that being relaxed was a better mindset than what he had before his first Test.
However, their low-key catch-up took a turn when photographs of them were shared on social media, highlighting the challenges Kohli faces daily.
Cox expressed concern about the lack of privacy Kohli experiences. “The upsetting thing for him is that people are following him without him knowing,” he stated. “Hundreds of people walked past us, yet no one noticed. A couple of hours later, he’s texting me about all these photos, and I couldn’t believe it.”
Cox emphasized that it’s unfortunate Kohli can’t live a normal life and escape the spotlight, as he just wanted to enjoy a casual time with a friend.
This incident sheds light on Kohli’s life outside of cricket. Over the last two years, he has spent a lot of time in London with his wife, Anushka Sharma, and their children, only returning to India for international cricket, IPL matches, or business commitments. After stepping back from Test cricket earlier this year and T20Is before that, Kohli has been keeping a lower public profile, though he still draws attention when he’s in England.
Looking ahead, the 37-year-old cricketer is preparing for India’s three-match ODI series against England, starting next week. After recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the recent Afghanistan series, Kohli has been training in Mumbai before heading to England. The matches will take place in Birmingham, Cardiff, and Lord’s, and they are crucial as he gears up for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
While the social media reaction to their photos sparked conversations, Cox shared that his most important takeaway from spending time with Kohli during their IPL season was the Indian player’s dedication to mentoring younger teammates.
“What stood out to me during the IPL was how much he invested time in me and others. For someone who has achieved so much, his willingness to give back is special,” Cox remarked. “Not everyone focuses on helping others, but he always puts others first, and that’s rare to see.”
