The advice from Virat Kohli that sparked PV Sindhu's turnaround

PV Sindhu's return to the top of world badminton was driven by belief, careful planning and a renewed love for the sport, culminating in her historic Japan Open 2026 triumph. The victory ended a two-year wait for a major title and made her the first Indian to win the tournament.

During a difficult spell marked by inconsistent form, Sindhu sought advice from Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, asking how he had dealt with his prolonged wait for an international century. In an interview with The Indian Express, her husband, Venkata Datta Sai, revealed that Kohli told Sindhu he had rediscovered the joy of scoring runs, advice that became central to her comeback.

After suffering a snapped toe ligament, doctors advised Sindhu to take a three-month break. Datta took her to Atlanta for rehabilitation, believing she needed a mental reset alongside physical recovery. He said the priority was rebuilding her enjoyment of badminton, with Kohli's message shaping their approach.

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At the Exos Sports Performance facility in Atlanta, Sindhu underwent rehabilitation and strength training under specialist coaches while staying with family in a relaxed environment.

Datta also revealed that every member of Sindhu's 13-person support team played a role in her revival and that they were overwhelmed with emotion after she defeated Akane Yamaguchi in the final.