'When I needed someone, he was there': PV Sindhu recalls Kohli's role in comeback

PV Sindhu has opened up on how a conversation with Virat Kohli helped her overcome one of the most difficult phases of her career following a serious injury in 2025, eventually inspiring a remarkable comeback that culminated in a historic Japan Open title.The two-time Olympic medallist suffered a torn toe ligament during training in September 2025, forcing her to cut short her season and focus entirely on rehabilitation. Under the supervision of renowned sports orthopaedist Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Sindhu underwent three months of complete rest followed by an extensive rehabilitation programme.During that challenging period, Sindhu, accompanied by her husband Venkata Datta Sai, reached out to Kohli seeking guidance. The former India captain responded almost immediately, and the trio met the very next day.Sharing the emotional moment on X while reposting her husband's interview with The Indian Express, Sindhu revealed how the meeting became a turning point in her recovery."One thing I'll always be grateful for, though, is Virat bhai. 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. 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,'' Sindhu wrote on X. Datta Sai reveals Kohli's influenceIn his interview with The Indian Express, Sindhu's husband Venkata Datta Sai explained how Kohli's words continued to inspire them throughout the recovery process. "We had to rebuild her joy, and Virat's words kept ringing in my head. At Atlanta's Exos Sports Performance facility, she trained with three excellent trainers, Wayne, Tim and Rayan," Datta recalled.Historic Japan Open victory completes ComebackThe comeback reached its perfect conclusion on July 19, 2026, when Sindhu scripted history by winning the Japan Open women's singles title, becoming the first Indian shuttler across any discipline to lift the prestigious crown in the tournament's 43-year history. Ranked World No. 12 entering the tournament, the 31-year-old produced a clinical performance in the final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, defeating home favourite and World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in straight games. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.