PV Sindhu has opened up about how a conversation with Virat Kohli helped her overcome one of the toughest phases of her career after a serious injury in 2025, ultimately inspiring a remarkable comeback that culminated in a historic Japan Open title.The two-time Olympic medalist suffered a torn toe ligament during training in September 2025, forcing him to cut his season short and focus entirely on rehabilitation. Under the supervision of the renowned sports orthopedist Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Sindhu underwent three months of complete rest followed by an extensive rehabilitation programme.During that challenging time, Sindhu, along with her husband Venkata Datta Sai, approached Kohli for guidance. The former India captain responded almost immediately, and the three met the next day.Sharing the emotional moment with X while reposting her husband’s interview with The Indian Express, Sindhu revealed how the meeting turned out to be a turning point in her recovery.“One thing I will always be grateful for, though, is Virat bhai. I contacted him at one of the lowest points in my career. Injuries were piling up, results weren’t coming, and I just needed someone who understood. He responded in a few minutes, and we met the next day. What we talked about will always stay between us. Every word stays with Datta and me. Some conversations change the way you see things. That’s one of them,” Sindhu wrote on X.
Datta Sai reveals Kohli’s influence
In his interview with The Indian Express, Sindhu’s husband Venkata Datta Sai explained how Kohli’s words continued to motivate them throughout the recovery process. “We had to rebuild his happiness, and Virat’s words kept ringing in my head. At the Exos Sports Performance facility in Atlanta, he trained with three great trainers, Wayne, Tim and Rayan,” Datta recalled.
The historic victory at the Japan Open completed the Comeback
The comeback reached its full conclusion on July 19, 2026, when Sindhu wrote history by winning the Japan Open women’s singles title, becoming the first Indian shuttler in any discipline to lift the prestigious crown in the tournament’s 43-year history. Ranked in the World No. 12 entering the tournament, the 31-year-old produced a clinical performance in the final at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, defeating home favorite and World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in straight games.