Bhattacharjee with his machine. Picture by Pranab Sinha

June 16: Perfecting the right angle to play the drop shot from the third court will be a lot easier now, thanks to an invention for an aurally-challenged Tezpur-based shuttler. Unless, of course, one abhors the idea of a one-on-one showdown with a machine that costs less than a pair of Nikes at Rs 3,000!

Developed by Tezpur-based Amlan Bhattacharjee in association with technician Subhas Das, the indigenous shuttle dropper/throwing machine, as the two inventors describe it, works on the same principles that goes with robots in table tennis and bowling machines in cricket. Ten shuttles can be loaded to the machine, the first of its kind in the country, at one go.

Bhattacharjee, a National Institute of Sports (NIS) coach, uses his invention to help 13-year-old aurally-challenged Joyshree Sarkar practice her shots and returns in the absence of partners at the Tezpur District Sports Association (TDSA) courts. Joyshree is the reigning sub-junior national champion for the deaf and dumb.

Two-time Olympian and former India number one Deepankar Bhattacharjee said, “This is the first time I am hearing about such a machine in badminton, though there are machines for table tennis and lawn tennis players. It is worth a try. If it is really effective, it can be suitably upgraded by taking expert help.”

Coach Amlan Bhattacharjee said the “Indian invention” could drop shuttles perpendicularly at regular intervals from adjustable heights. Besides, it could also be used for throwing shuttles to a certain distance by increasing the speed of the motor. The power-propelled motor has a regulator that can increase and decrease the speed of the shuttle drop/throw.

The machine could also be wheeled to any position on the court to help, in particular, a shuttler’s net play and third court shots.

The machine was developed for beginners, but advance trainees could use it for practising forehand, backhand, drop shots as well as smashes, the coach said. “It is ideal for those who struggle to find practice partners,” he said.

“It has been invented to help Joyshree practice freely without bothering about a partner. The machine will be installed permanently as soon as the renovation work of the TDSA indoor stadium is over by December. A player can improve his/her accuracy by practising with the machine,” he said.

Bhattacharjee said he was open to suggestions. “Like in any other field, there is always room for improvement. We will popularise its use in other districts as well if we get positive feedback,” he added.