Indian badminton ace PV Sindhu is back home in Bengaluru after what she described as âintense and uncertainâ days in Dubai, following a frightening travel disruption that ruled her out of the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships. Sindhu was travelling to Birmingham via Dubai when escalating tensions in West Asia triggered widespread flight disruptions, leaving her stranded mid-transit.
Confirming her safe return on X (formerly Twitter), Sindhu wrote, âBack home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but Iâm truly grateful to be back at my house. 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.
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For now, itâs time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps.â She expressed gratitude to the ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, and immigration officials who supported her and helped her return safely.
Back home in Bangalore and safe ðŸÂ
â Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) March 3, 2026
The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but Im truly grateful to be back to my house. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and every single person who stepped up and
A frightening transit ordeal
What began as a routine international transit quickly turned alarming. Sindhu and her coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, were caught in the fallout of escalating regional tensions that disrupted flight operations across the Gulf.
According to her account, her coach was closest to the smoke and debris following an explosion near their location and had to move quickly to ensure safety. Passengers were left stranded as security concerns mounted and movement restrictions were imposed.
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All England dreams dashed
As flight disruptions continued and alternate travel options were deemed unsafe, Sindhu was forced to withdraw from the All England Championships â one of badmintonâs most prestigious tournaments.
The ordeal highlights how geopolitical instability can spill into global sport, impacting tournament participation and athlete safety. With her safe return offering relief to fans and well-wishers, Sindhuâs immediate focus is now on recovery and reassessment before planning her next competitive move.
