Syed Mohammad Hadi was one of the most prominent Indian athletes in colonial India. He was referred to as the versatile player in cricket, tennis, field hockey, soccer, table tennis, chess and Polo He was nicknamed "Rainbow Hadi" because of his expertise in these seven sports.

Early Life of Syed Mohammad Hadi
Syed Mohammad Hadi was born on 12th August in the year 1899 Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. He was one of the most gifted pioneering athletes of India. He not only represented India in cricket and tennis, but was also proficient in field hockey, soccer, table tennis, chess, and polo. The father of Syed Mohammad Hadi was Syed Mohammed, was an officer in the Paigah army in Hyderabad State and died when Syed Mohammed Hadi was barely two years old. He was supported by the family of, Sir Asman Jah, the former Prime Minister of Hyderabad State, in the court of the Nizams of Hyderabad. He was raised alongside, Asman Jah`s son Nawab Moin-Ud-Dowlah, who would become a leading patron of sports in Hyderabad.

Career of Syed Mohammed Hadi
Syed Mohammed Hadi learned horse riding and polo as a youth and played soccer for Nizam College. Recognizing their ward`s exceptional athletic abilities, Asman Jah`s family helped arrange for his studies in England. As a tennis player, Syed Mohammed Hadi burst on to the international scene while studying at Cambridge University where he studied at Peterhouse and worked hard to become a Cambridge Blue. Syed Mohammed Hadi helped the Cambridge team score a series of victories against Oxford University and visiting American teams. He also earned university colors in field hockey, soccer, and table tennis.

Later Career of Syed Mohammed Hadi
Syed Mohammed Hadi vindicated his claim by representing India at the Davis Cup in 1924 and 1925. Syed Mohammed Hadi also represented India at Wimbledon for five years and in 1926 reached the quarter finals in doubles. He was one of the first Indians to compete as a tennis player at the Olympics (1924 Summer Olympics).

Syed Mohammed Hadi as a Cricket Player
As a cricketer, Syed Mohammed Hadi played several first-class cricket matches in India, including an unofficial Test. When the Ranji Trophy was instituted in 1934, Hadi became the first batsman to score a century. He was the treasurer of the Indian team on their tour of England in 1936 and also played in several matches. He was also in the team in the unofficial Test match series against the Australians led by Jack Ryder. He continued to play for the Hyderabad XI in the Ranji Trophy till 1941.

Syed Mohammed Hadi as a Indian Football Player
In 1939-1940, Syed Mohammed Hadi along with his brother Col. Ali Raza, Nawab Mahmood Yar Jung, S.A. Rahim and Ahmed Mohiuddin was one of the founding members of the Hyderabad Football Association and the Hyderabad Cricket Association. After retiring from athletics, Hadi continued his involvement in sports as an educator.

Other Career of Syed Mohammed Hadi
When the All-India Council of Sports was formed in 1959, Syed Mohammed Hadi became its first secretary.

Death of Syed Mohammed Hadi
Syed Mohammed Hadi died in his native Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, of lung cancer at the age of 72. He died on 14th July in the year 1971.