PV Sindhu Back in India After Dubai Ordeal, Pulls Out of All England Championships

India’s ace shuttler and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has safely returned to Bengaluru after being stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in West Asia that led to widespread airspace closures across the Gulf region.

Sindhu was en route to Birmingham for the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships when flight operations were suspended following US airstrikes on Iran, leaving thousands of passengers stuck — including the Indian star. She had been stranded in Dubai since Saturday, February 28.

Confirming her return on Tuesday, Sindhu expressed gratitude to the authorities and support staff who ensured her safety during the uncertainty. “Back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back at my house,” Sindhu said.

“A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and every single person who stepped up and took such good care of us during a very difficult time. The empathy and professionalism meant more than words can say.”

She added that she will take time to recover from the experience. “For now, it’s time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps.”

Narrow Escape in Dubai

Sindhu had arrived in Dubai as part of her travel route to Birmingham. However, as regional tensions intensified, operations at one of the world’s busiest transit hubs were disrupted, bringing travel plans to a standstill.

The situation turned tense on March 1 when an explosion occurred close to the team’s place of stay. Sindhu described the moment as frightening, revealing that her coach — who was closest to the site — had to quickly move away from smoke and debris. The team was later shifted to a safer location with assistance from Dubai airport authorities and support from the Indian High Commission.

Sindhu was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round of the tournament but will now miss the competition due to the unforeseen circumstances.

In her absence, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty have reached Birmingham through alternate routes and will spearhead India’s challenge at the tournament.