After Dubai Scare, PV Sindhu Returns Home; Skips All England Championships

India’s star shuttler and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has returned safely to Bengaluru after a tense few days in Dubai, where she was stranded following escalating conflict in West Asia that triggered airspace closures across the Gulf.

Sindhu was travelling to Birmingham for the All England Open Badminton Championships when flight operations were abruptly disrupted, leaving thousands of passengers stuck in transit hubs, including the Indian ace. She had been in Dubai since Saturday, February 28.

Taking to social media on Tuesday, Sindhu confirmed that she is back home and thanked the authorities who ensured her safety. “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,” she wrote.

“A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and everyone 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 now take time to recover from the ordeal. “For now, it’s time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps.”

Frightening Moments

Sindhu’s trip took a worrying turn on March 1 when an explosion occurred near the team’s place of stay. She described the moment as extremely tense, revealing that her coach, who was closest to the incident, had to quickly move away from smoke and debris.

The team was later relocated to a safer area with assistance from local authorities and support from the Indian High Commission. Sindhu had been scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round in Birmingham but will now miss the tournament due to the unforeseen travel disruption.

In her absence, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty have reached Birmingham through alternate routes and will lead India’s campaign at the prestigious event.