PV Sindhu credits Virat Kohli’s support for career resurgence and Japan Open win
Indian badminton player PV Sindhu has spoken about the significant role Virat Kohli played in her recovery from a challenging period marked by injury and self-doubt. A conversation with the cricket superstar is credited with helping Sindhu rediscover her passion for the sport, ultimately leading to a historic victory at the Japan Open.
Sindhu faced a difficult two-year stretch, which included a torn toe ligament in September 2025 that forced her to end her season early. This injury, combined with an early exit from the Paris Olympics and a prolonged title drought, contributed to a period of significant self-doubt for the athlete. Rehabilitation became a frustrating cycle, with injuries lingering and comebacks often followed by setbacks.
During this challenging time, Sindhu, accompanied by her husband Venkata Datta Sai, reached out to Kohli for guidance. Kohli, understanding the pressures faced by elite athletes, responded quickly, and a meeting took place the following day. Sindhu shared on X (formerly Twitter) that this meeting became a turning point in her recovery, expressing gratitude for Kohli’s presence during one of the lowest points of her career.
A pivotal conversation
The details of the conversation between Sindhu and Kohli remain private. However, Sindhu noted that while Kohli did not say much, his words resonated deeply with both her and her husband. She described it as one of those conversations that fundamentally change one’s perspective.
Datta Sai further elaborated on Kohli’s influence in an interview, explaining how the cricketer’s words continued to inspire them throughout Sindhu’s recovery process. He recalled that Kohli’s advice centered on rediscovering the joy and passion for badminton, rather than solely focusing on winning trophies. This shift in mindset was crucial for Sindhu.
Sindhu admitted that the biggest takeaway from their discussion was the importance of finding joy in the game again. She explained that she now understands a deeper motivation for her early morning training sessions, indicating that it is no longer just about trophies or wins.
The road to comeback
Following her injury in September 2025, Sindhu underwent three months of complete rest under the supervision of sports orthopaedist Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. This was followed by an extensive rehabilitation programme. Her husband, Datta Sai, played a key role in assembling her support team, which emphasized data and preparation.
Sindhu trained with three trainers, Wayne, Tim, and Rayan, at the Atlanta’s Exos Sports Performance facility. The focus during this period was on rebuilding her enthusiasm for the sport, with Kohli’s words serving as a continuous source of inspiration.
Historic Japan Open triumph
The culmination of Sindhu’s comeback was her victory at the Japan Open women’s singles title on July 19, 2026. This win marked a significant milestone, as she became the first Indian shuttler in any discipline to secure this prestigious title in the tournament’s 43-year history. Entering the tournament ranked World No. 12, Sindhu delivered a strong performance in the final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
She defeated home favorite and World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi in straight games, with scores of 21-17, 21-17. This victory ended a title drought that had lasted for over two years. At 31 years old, Sindhu also became the oldest woman to win a BWF Super 750 title. The final match saw Sindhu maintain her composure, weathering Yamaguchi’s challenges and securing the win.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
