Dubai: India’s badminton hopes have suffered an unexpected setback as PV Sindhu is likely to miss the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships after being stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
The two-time Olympic medallist has been unable to travel to Birmingham following widespread flight cancellations triggered by US airstrikes on Iran and the subsequent closure of airspace across parts of the Gulf. Sindhu has remained in Dubai since Saturday, with airport operations suspended due to heightened security concerns.
Sources indicate that Sindhu and her support staff, including Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, were relocated to a safer area after an explosion was reported near their hotel. Though unharmed, the situation has severely disrupted her tournament plans.
Sindhu was scheduled to open her campaign against Thailand’s Supanida Katethong, but with no clarity on the resumption of flights from Dubai, her withdrawal appears inevitable.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it is closely monitoring developments and remains prepared to make adjustments. “We are maintaining real-time oversight and are ready to assist teams facing delays or rerouting challenges,” the governing body said, adding that schedule changes could be considered if required.
While Sindhu’s participation hangs in the balance, several Indian players have managed to reach the United Kingdom through alternate routes via Singapore and parts of Africa, though the exhausting travel could affect their match readiness.
Former semifinalist Lakshya Sen has arrived without complications but faces a daunting opening clash against world No. 1 Shi Yuqi. Lakshya has struggled historically against the Chinese star, winning just once in five encounters. Youngster Ayush Shetty, the reigning US Open Super 300 champion, will take on Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in his first-round match, aiming to improve his head-to-head record.
In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod is drawn against Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Chen Yufei, while Unnati Hooda, who had to reroute via Africa after her flight was cancelled, will battle Thailand’s eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong.
India’s men’s doubles hopes rest on former world No. 1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who begin their campaign against Malaysia’s Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai. Women’s doubles duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, semifinalists in 2022 and 2023, will meet Japan’s Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto.
In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto face Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde take on French fifth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.
Historically, India’s success at the All England has been rare. Only Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) have lifted the coveted title. In recent years, Saina Nehwal (runner-up in 2015) and Lakshya Sen (runner-up in 2022) have come closest to adding another chapter to India’s legacy.
As uncertainty looms over Sindhu’s travel, the broader geopolitical crisis has cast a shadow over one of badminton’s most celebrated tournaments, turning sporting aspirations into collateral damage of international conflict.
