Birmingham: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is poised to miss the All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham after being stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.

Sindhu has been stuck in Dubai since Saturday following the suspension of flights after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which led to the closure of airspace and airports across parts of the region.

The Indian star and her team, including Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, reportedly had a narrow escape after an explosion occurred near their place of stay. They were later moved to a secure location as tensions intensified.

Sindhu had been scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round. However, with Dubai airport remaining shut and no clear timeline for the resumption of flights, she is expected to withdraw from the Super 1000 tournament.

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The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it is maintaining “real-time oversight of the situation” and stands ready to assist delegations affected by delays or route changes. The governing body added that it is reviewing possible scheduling contingencies should players arrive late.

While Sindhu’s participation appears increasingly unlikely, several other Indian players have managed to reach Birmingham via alternative routes through Singapore and parts of Africa, though the demanding travel schedules may affect their preparations.

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Men’s singles contender Lakshya Sen and rising youngster Ayush Shetty arrived without disruption. Lakshya faces a stern opening test against world No. 1 Shi Yuqi, having lost four of their five previous meetings. Ayush takes on Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, against whom he trails 3–2 in head-to-head encounters, including a defeat at the Indonesia Masters in January.

In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod faces a daunting challenge against Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei in the first round. Unnati Hooda, whose original flight was cancelled before she rerouted via Africa, will meet Thailand’s eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong.

In men’s doubles, former world No. 1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lead India’s charge against Malaysia’s Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai.

The women’s doubles duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand — semi-finalists at the event in 2022 and 2023 — will open against 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 France’s fifth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.

India’s only All England champions remain Prakash Padukone, who triumphed in 1980, and Pullela Gopichand, who lifted the title in 2001. In recent years, only Saina Nehwal (runner-up in 2015) and Lakshya (runner-up in 2022) have come close to adding to that legacy.

(PTI)