PV Sindhu on Shubman Gill's Temple Device: Why Recovery Data Matters And What Virat Kohli Told Her During A Low

PV Sindhu has a message for athletes who are increasingly turning to technology to monitor their performance- tracking recovery is just as important as tracking training. And when it comes to Shubman Gill, who has started using the Temple device that Sindhu has worn for some time, the two-time Olympic medallist believes the Indian cricketer will know how best to use the data. Sindhu, who returned to the world's top 10 after winning the Hylo Open, her second major title of the year, spoke about Gill's use of the device and the importance of monitoring different aspects of an athlete's recovery.

"I am sure Shubman has his own things to look at. In sport, recovery is a key factor, and you have to structure your work schedule accordingly. When you look at the data, you get an understanding of how your body is recovering and how well you are sleeping. It varies from individual to individual.

"The device also gives you insights into your cognitive performance, so it is not just about one aspect. You look at your HRV scores, heart rate and other parameters. He has been playing cricket for a long time, and the Temple device is great. I like it. By now, having worn it, he must have a fair understanding of the different data points and how he can use those insights while playing and resting, particularly when tracking his sleep at night and assessing how he feels the following day.

"Nutrition is tracked as well. His team must be monitoring it, and I am sure he is using those insights. As an athlete, I can say that recovery plays a huge role, and it is extremely important to track it."

Sindhu's point was that there is no single metric that determines an athlete's readiness. Sleep, heart rate variability (HRV), cognitive performance and nutrition are among the parameters that need to be considered. How an athlete interprets that information, however, depends on the individual and the demands of the sport.

The short conversation with NDTV also offered a glimpse into the relationships Sindhu has built beyond badminton. Among the athletes she has turned to for advice is Virat Kohli, whose words helped her through a difficult phase in her career.

"I have spoken to Virat, and he is an amazing person. We have had several conversations, and he has been a great source of inspiration. He has told me how to motivate myself when I am feeling low. I remember speaking to him at a time when I was really low, and he told me to just go out there and enjoy myself. That really helped me," she said.

For Sindhu, interactions between athletes from different disciplines are an opportunity to understand how others prepare, handle pressure and deal with setbacks. The lessons, she believes, are often as valuable as anything learnt within one's own sport.

"Communication across sports is important because you get to learn from different disciplines. It is inspiring to see the hard work athletes put in to win for the country. Meeting them also gives you an insight into their perspectives and how they handle pressure in the middle of competition. How they deal with the highs and, more importantly, how they come out of the lows, is extremely valuable.

"These learnings are not limited to cricket. I have had several conversations with Neeraj Chopra as well. I have always been keen to understand how he thinks, particularly what was going through his mind when he won the gold. Insights from other sports are invaluable, and I thoroughly enjoy these interactions."

From understanding recovery through data to finding perspective through conversations with fellow athletes, Sindhu's approach reflects the many dimensions of elite sport. Kohli's advice was simple: go out and enjoy the game. For a player who has had to negotiate her share of setbacks, this advice has stayed with her.

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