'Grateful for Virat bhai': PV Sindhu reveals how Kohli helped her during one of the lowest points of her career
· Yahoo Sports
PV Sindhu revealed how India cricket legend Virat Kohli helped her at the time she was undergoing some of the toughest moments in her career as a badminton player.
According to the two-time Olympic medalist, Kohli is one of the people who understood what she was going through as a top athlete.
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Having ended a 19-month title drought by winning the Japan Open 2026 women’s singles title since winning Syed Modi International in December 2024, the 31-year-old is currently the face at the China Open Super 1000 in Changzhou.
She also spoke about her husband Venkata Datta Sai in the message, as Datta was also present during the conversation with Kohli.
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PV Sindhu’s emotional message for Virat Kohli
Fresh from winning the Japan Open 2026 title, becoming the first Indian to achieve the feat, the Indian shuttler turned to social media to convey her appreciation to Kohli on how his words and guidance helped her in tough times.
"One thing I’ll always be grateful for, though, is Virat bhai," she posted on X. "I reached out to him at one of the lowest points of my career. Injuries were piling up, the results weren’t coming, and I just needed someone who understood. He replied within minutes, and we met the very next day."
According to Sindhu, when she needed some advice, Kohli was there with the appropriate words to guide her through tough times. The cricketer was praised by Sindhu for showing other athletes the way a senior player should conduct himself.
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Kohli helped Sindhu rediscover her joy
Sindhu's difficulties grew worse as she faced a long wait until she won a title at the Japan Open, compounded by an injury to her foot in September 2025. Sindhu hurt her toe while training, tearing a ligament, and was advised by doctors to take a full three months of rest, thus having to stay away from competitions.
"What we spoke about will always stay between us. But I’ll always be grateful that when I needed someone, he was there. He didn’t say much, but every word stayed with Datta and me. Some conversations change the way you see things. That was one of them."
She further mentioned that the most important thing she learned from her discussion was straightforward but highly transformative. "The biggest thing I took away was the importance of finding your joy again."
READ: India player ratings: Rohit, Kohli and co. graded after England ODI series
Sindhu carries Japan Open momentum into China Open 2026
PV Sindhu is currently competing at the China Open 2026. Following her victory at the Japan Open 2026, Sindhu has moved on to Changzhou, China for the BWF China Open Super 1000 tournament that takes place from July 21 to 26.
Sindhu is heading the Indian contingent at the women’s singles section and has entered the competition in fine form following her record-breaking victory at the Japan Open.
How to watch China Open badminton 2026 live stream, TV channel
- TV channel: N/A
- Online Live Stream: BWF TV, Jio Hotstar
There is no TV broadcast for6 China Open badminton 2026 in India, but fans can stream the matches live on BWF TV - the official YouTube channel of the Badminton World Federation and Jio Hotstar.
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