Syed Modi: The Precision Behind the Style
Few truly understood the relentless dedication behind Syed Modi’s famed ‘lazy elegance’ on the badminton court. But his impact on Indian shuttlecock is undeniable. He gifted subsequent generations with an unwavering accuracy on corners and lines, honed through masterful stroke play.
Ask a storyteller for three minutes on Modi’s game, and you’ll hear about ‘gifted strokeplay.’ Give them twenty-three, and they’ll dissect the intricate details that underpinned that effortless style. Uday Pawar, a contemporary of Modi’s, insists his friend was ‘laid-back,’ not ‘lazy,’ and that his true legacy lies in that disciplined precision.
Pawar and Modi’s friendship began with a bit of rivalry. Both, along with Vikram Singh, were seen as potential successors to prakash Padukone, being four years his junior. Their head-to-head records in national tournaments were uniquely circular. Pawar won three National finals against Modi, but Modi consistently defeated Vikram singh, who, in turn, often struggled against Pawar.
“We became good friends because I consistently beat the players who gave Modi trouble – Vikram Singh, and sometimes Vimal Kumar,” Pawar recalls with a laugh, playfully suggesting he cleared the path for Modi’s victories.
Modi had a mischievous side, deliberately mispronouncing English words – calling ‘surrender’ ‘cylinder’ with a wink – just to get a reaction from Pawar.
He possessed an remarkable ability to elevate his game when it mattered most, delivering his best badminton on the biggest stages like National finals. Whether it was a characteristic of the Uttar Pradesh badminton tradition,known for producing elegant players like Suresh Goel,or the result of his coaching,Modi consistently rose to the occasion.
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