PV Sindhu Stranded in Dubai, Misses All England Open Badminton Championship

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu finds herself stranded in Dubai, unable to participate in the upcoming All England Open Championship due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. With flights suspended and the situation becoming increasingly alarming, Sindhu and her coach are safe but anxious. This unexpected setback is a significant loss for the Indian badminton team, as they look to other players to carry the nation's hopes in the prestigious tournament. Discover more about this developing story and its implications for Indian sports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 14:29 IST

PV Sindhu's Unexpected Setback

In a significant blow for Indian sports, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu is currently stranded in Dubai and will not participate in the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championship 2026.

The tournament is set to commence on March 3 in Birmingham, England. However, escalating tensions in the Middle East have left Sindhu stuck at Dubai Airport. Following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, airspace in the Gulf region has been closed, leading to flight cancellations. Sindhu has been trapped in Dubai since Saturday, along with her coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who have managed to reach a safe location.

Sindhu shared an update on social media, describing the situation as quite frightening. A blast occurred just 100 meters away from her coach, but they are safe, albeit under stress. She stated, “We are safe, but the situation is very tense. The team is united, and we are supporting each other.”

Due to these circumstances, Sindhu will not be able to compete against Thailand's Supanida Katethong in the first round. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the tournament organizers are monitoring the situation, but the closure of Dubai Airport and airspace has made her arrival impossible.

This is a significant loss for the Indian badminton team, as the All England Open is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments. Now, players like Lakshya Sen and Satwik-Chirag will carry the hopes of the nation.