PV Sindhu reveals Virat Kohli's advice that changed her career outlook
Synopsis
PV Sindhu has credited Virat Kohli's four-word nudge — 'just go out there and show up' — with pulling her out of her lowest career phase. The revelation, made on the RCB podcast, adds rare texture to how India's elite athletes quietly sustain each other across sports. Sindhu then walked the talk: a 21-7, 21-11 demolition of Ireland's Sophia Noble in 29 minutes opened her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign on home soil.
Key Takeaways
PV Sindhu revealed on the RCB podcast that Virat Kohli advised her to 'just show up' during the lowest phase of her career.
Sindhu said the conversation 'completely changed her perspective,' shifting her focus from results to competing.
The 31-year-old described Kohli as a 'brother figure' and said she regularly shares her wins with him.
Sindhu opened her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign with a 21-7, 21-11 win over Ireland's Sophia Noble in 29 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi .
The victory advanced Sindhu to the Round of 32 of the tournament.
PV Sindhu has opened up about how a candid conversation with Virat Kohli during one of the most difficult stretches of her career helped her rediscover her competitive drive. The two-time Olympic medallist made the revelation while speaking on the RCB podcast, even as she competes at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
The Advice That Hit Home
Sindhu recalled approaching Kohli at a low point, telling him that 'nothing is happening.' His response, she said, was disarmingly simple. 'He just said, Just show up, it is okay, just go out there and just show up,' Sindhu recounted.
The advice cut through the noise for the shuttler. Kohli urged her to focus on competing rather than fixating on outcomes — to trust her training and let her game speak. 'What would happen? You are not going to lose anything; you know what you are, how you have trained, and show the world who you are,' she quoted him as saying, adding that 'that conversation completely changed my perspective.'
A Bond Built on Mutual Respect
Sindhu described Kohli as a brother figure and said the two have stayed in regular contact. 'Whenever I win, I just share my happiness,' she said, noting that she had recently met him in person. She expressed admiration for the way Kohli handles pressure and carries himself on the field — 'hats off to him for whatever he has done,' the 31-year-old said.
This is not the first time Indian athletes across disciplines have credited peer-to-peer mentorship for sustaining motivation during lean phases. Sindhu's candid account underscores a broader pattern: elite Indian sport increasingly functions as a cross-discipline support network, with cricketers and individual-sport stars drawing on each other's experience.
Strong Start at BWF World Championships 2026
Sindhu backed up her words with performance on court. Competing at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, the former world champion opened her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign with a commanding 21-7, 21-11 victory over Ireland's Sophia Noble in just 29 minutes, advancing to the Round of 32.
The result suggests Sindhu has carried the renewed mindset into match conditions. With the World Championships on home soil, the pressure and the opportunity are both amplified — and her opening-round display offered early encouragement to Indian supporters.
What to Watch Next
Sindhu will look to build on her first-round win as the tournament progresses at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. A deep run at a home World Championships would be a significant statement, both personally and for Indian badminton heading into the next Olympic cycle.
Point of View
Leaving athletes to navigate career troughs in isolation. That Sindhu had to seek out Kohli informally, and that his advice was as basic as 'show up,' says as much about the support gaps as it does about his generosity. Her strong opening at a home World Championships is welcome, but the real story is how close India came to losing her competitive edge to a confidence crisis that a formal support system might have caught earlier.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What advice did Virat Kohli give PV Sindhu?
Virat Kohli advised PV Sindhu to 'just show up' when she told him she was going through a phase where 'nothing is happening.' He encouraged her to trust her preparation and focus on competing rather than worrying about results, a conversation Sindhu credits with completely changing her perspective.
When did PV Sindhu share this about Virat Kohli?
Sindhu made the revelation during an appearance on the RCB podcast, coinciding with her participation in the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
How did PV Sindhu perform at the 2026 BWF World Championships?
Sindhu opened her campaign with a dominant 21-7, 21-11 victory over Ireland's Sophia Noble in just 29 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, advancing to the Round of 32.
What is PV Sindhu's relationship with Virat Kohli?
Sindhu describes Kohli as a brother figure. She says she stays in regular contact with him and shares her victories with him, and that she values the inputs she gets from someone who has 'achieved so much.'
Why does Sindhu admire Virat Kohli?
Sindhu has expressed admiration for the way Kohli handles pressure and performs on the field. She said, 'The way he thinks whenever he goes out there, looking at him how he shows up and how he plays... hats off to him for whatever he has done.'
