The badminton star has made them her mantra of sorts, and she is open about how a bit of counsel from the cricketer has been the difference in her getting back to where she wants to be. It all came from a run-in with Kohli at the Indian Sports Summit in Bengaluru.
They were in the same room at the RCB Innovation Lab, and for Sindhu, it was more than just a handshake. In an Instagram post, she put it in writing that Kohli is the kind of senior you want around when things get real.
Beyond the batting, Kohli’s role at the summit stretched to big-picture themes. He discussed pillars that often decide careers under pressure:
– Athlete fitness and recovery
– Leadership and mental strength
– The future of Indian sports
The quote that stuck
‘Every time I have needed guidance, you have always been there with the right advice and the right words. There is no better example of what a true senior in Indian sport should be: generous, grounded, inspiring, and always willing to lift others up,’ she said.
The message and why it lands now
It is good timing for her. After some injuries put a crimp in 2025 and a year of 2026 that had its fair share of hard knocks, Sindhu is in the middle of a rebuild. And Kohli’s way of putting it – 'Never back down, PV‘ – has given her something to hold on to as she works to make her form more consistent.
She has had her moments. You only have to look at the 2025 BWF World Championships where she put away Wang Zhiyi, or her win over Pornpawee Chochuwong in China. Then in 2026, she was in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open before being done in in straight games, and met with another loss to Wang.
But there is new life in her game. She made the quarter-finals in Thailand, and has been a big part of India’s Uber Cup effort. And she is not just leading on court; as Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission, she has a voice in the Badminton World Federation Council now.
Kohli’s on-field form powers credibility
Why does Kohli’s say-so matter? Because he is still setting the bar. He was in fine form in the 2026 IPL, lashing out an unbeaten 105 off the Kolkata Knight Riders for his ninth T20 ton and helping RCB put together a strong season.
He is one of the top scorers this year. Thirteen matches, 542 runs, an average of 54.20 and a strike rate of 164.74. One hundred, four fifties. It is no wonder he was instrumental in RCB making the playoffs.
What it means for Indian sport
It is a sign of the times. The best in India are sharing notes across the board. Sindhu’s note to him was a public nod to a private kind of support, and fans have been quick to like the show of respect between two of the country’s most recognised names.
Sindhu put it best when she sent his own line right back: ‘Never back down, PV. Advice taken. Keep being the absolute force of a human being that you are. Indian sport is better because of people like you.’
