PV Sindhu has opened up about her close bond with Virat Kohli, describing the Indian cricket star as a “brother” and recalling the advice he gave her during one of the lowest phases of her career.The two-time Olympic medallist spoke about her relationship with Kohli during the latest episode of the RCB Podcast. A teaser of the episode was shared on the two-time IPL champions’ X handle.Sindhu revealed that she once met Kohli when she was struggling and told him that “nothing is happening”. Rather than offering a complicated solution, the batter urged her to keep turning up for matches and training and simply play her natural game.“He is like my brother I must say, because I remember when I was at my lowest you know I think I met him and I said you know nothing is happening. He just said that just show up, it is okay, just go out there and just show up,” she said.Sindhu said Kohli’s message made her look at the situation differently. She recalled how he encouraged her to keep appearing wherever she needed to and trust the work she had already put in.“He asked me to show up, anywhere and for anyting 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 badminton star also spoke about how the two remain in touch. Sindhu said she shares her achievements and moments of happiness with Kohli, while also valuing the opportunity to learn from someone who has enjoyed a remarkable career.“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 few of those inputs from him, 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 signed off.Sindhu’s comments came while she is competing at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. The five-time World Championships medallist began her campaign with a commanding win over Ireland’s Sophia Noble in the women’s singles Round of 64, winning 21-7, 21-11.With her own decorated career and Kohli’s standing in Indian sport, Sindhu’s account offers a glimpse into the personal bond between two of the country’s biggest sporting stars.
