New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has revealed how a simple piece of advice from Indian cricket star Virat Kohli helped her change her perspective during one of the most difficult phases of her career.
Sindhu, who is currently competing at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, recalled her conversation with Kohli while speaking on the RCB podcast. The badminton star said she approached Kohli when she was struggling and felt that “nothing is happening”.
“He is like my brother, I must say, because I remember when I was at my lowest. I think I met him and I said, you know, nothing is happening. He just said, ‘Just show up, it is okay, just go out there and just show up,’” Sindhu said.
She said Kohli’s advice encouraged her to focus on competing and trusting her preparation rather than becoming preoccupied with results.
“He asked me to show up, anywhere and for anything, and just play my game. 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. So I think it hit me, and I think that conversation completely changed my perspective,” she added.
The 31-year-old said she continues to remain in touch with Kohli and shares her achievements with him.
“Whenever I win, I just share my happiness, saying that you know I have won this or that, and recently I met him, so it is always so good to meet, you know, a person who has achieved so much and to get a few of those inputs from him,” Sindhu said.
Reflecting on Kohli’s approach to sport, Sindhu said she admires the way he handles pressure and continues to perform at the highest level.
“The way he thinks whenever he goes out there, looking at him how he shows up and how he plays and what he is, I think hats off to him for whatever he has done,” she added.
Sindhu made a confident start to her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11 in 29 minutes in her opening women’s singles match.
The victory saw the former world champion advance to the Round of 32 as she began her campaign on a positive note.
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