What made badminton legend Nandu Natekar, who passed away at the age of 88 in Pune on Wednesday, so great? Let’s talk technique here. 

The man’s smash never had much power, but was perfectly directed to the opponent’s waist or the armpit of the playing hand. Those who have played the game well will understand the value of this technique. Even a half-smash to the middle body of the opponent is very difficult to get back. Natekar made the best of players look foolish as they tried to twist away from the shuttle that seemed, by some Oriental legerdemain, to be aimed at their midriffs!