Rising badminton star Malvika Bansod on the importance of a travelling coach and reading the Bhagavad Gita to unwind | Badminton News

Malvika Bansod, 23, became the first Indian woman in nearly three years to reach the quarterfinals of a Super 1000 at the China Open — a tournament of equal standing as a tennis Grand Slam. However, she went out 21-10, 21-16 to Akane Yamaguchi on Friday. It only gets tougher from here, but the Nagpur girl is determined to keep sourcing strategies from assorted veteran coaches, sparring partners and former players. In an interview with Indian Express, the southpaw talks about reading dictionaries, going on long walks without being plugged into music, and appreciating instrumental music when sitting still, unwinding from sport.
Malvika Bansod: Definitely one of the best weeks, playing at the highest stage. It was awesome because it was 3 days after my birthday. I was actually travelling on 15th and was in 3 countries on the same day — India, Hong Kong in transit and then China. Five years back at my debut in Maldives, I’d won around my birthday. So travelling for badminton on my birthday must mean a good thing!
Do bad line calls — like in the pre-quarters against Kirsty Gilmour — mess with your head?
Malvika Bansod: If a wrong line decision goes against you, in that fraction of a moment, obviously any player feels disappointed that it ended up as someone else’s point. But I’ve matured now to realise that if I stay over-engaged in that one point, it will affect me. There’s no reason to linger over it. So I just leave it, saying I can’t do anything about it. I’ve played all my life in India against players from rival academies, so I’ve learnt to manage bad calls in my head. Because people put pressure, and judgments are partial against you. But it’s part and parcel of the game. If you are a good enough player, you should take that extra point. If you can’t, you don’t deserve to win.
You pushed Yamaguchi close last match, but like all big players, the next time, they can blow you off the court. Tough match today?
Malvika Bansod: I could manage her pace, and retrieve quite a bit. But she had those last few surprise strokes at the end of the rally that I couldn’t manage. That was a stark difference. We learn more from losses which have emotions attached, so I’ll remember this. Her experience has been amassed from 10 years and it’s a very big gap that can’t be bridged in a minute, a match or a week. It will take time.
What’s next?
Malvika Bansod: I got into China draw as a reserve, but should make main draws of big events consently with new rankings. Next would be tournaments in Europe.
I need consent training. Badminton needs physicality, but also emotional stability. I go high and low because my training scene is not consent. But I would like to continue with what I’m doing, because the person sitting behind can only guide you, ultimately you need to execute. As players we need to take responsibility for how we play. We are old enough.
But at the topmost level, isn’t a consent travelling coach needed?
Malvika Bansod: It’s ideal if I’m training with the travelling coach. In due course, I might choose some place else, which has a wholesome approach to training. It’s most sensible, but it’s important to have a good rapport with the coach. At the top level, I see Yamaguchi, Tai Tzu Ying and Chen Yufei all communicating with their coaches, sometimes wordlessly with eye contact or finger snapping. But that rapport was built over many years.
Most players need constant coaching. Where does this independent strain come from?
Malvika Bansod: My mother made me independent. I follow spirituality in my own way. I know we are born independent, and we go independent. On the court you have to win yourself, why look to people for support? I can analyse and see what’s wrong. I’ve been on the BWF circuit for 5 years, so I trust my brain and my confidence.
But you have applied to train at National Centre, Guwahati?
Malvika Bansod: Yes it will be a good experience. At this stage, I don’t need group training. I definitely don’t need monitoring for discipline. I’m focussed enough. What I need is someone to guide me on finer aspects. When the time is right, I’ll approach who I need to.
How do you unwind?
Malvika Bansod: I read Bhagavad Gita and travelogues and have recently started enjoying reading dictionaries. The latest new word I discovered is ‘abhorrent’, I’m still on ‘A’, and I found it very amusing. I read a lot of fiction as a kid, and really like Agatha Chrie still. But there’s also self-help books.My focus needs to be completely on badminton, but the CPU (head) has to be kept off at times. I unwind best with my family, go for runs and walks in open spaces.

Is it long walks with music?
Malvika Bansod: I like my Me-time and even here in China, I went on runs and walks along the river.
But, walks are for self introspection. I find music dracting when running. I’m just not comfortable. But I love lening to music otherwise. Instrumental mostly. Grew up lening to Ravi Shankar and now it’s Anoushka Shankar. In western classical, it’s Yanni, the pian. I look up to him because I too play the Casio, though with my right hand. My mother found it funny because I eat and play with left.