PVL | Libero Anand — a game-changer with exceptional digs Premium

K. Anand, a rising star libero in Indian volleyball, shines in the Prime Volleyball League with exceptional skills and passion.

Volleyball is a sport full of gigantic players whose average height is six feet and seven inches. Invariably, the shorter players remain under-appreciated. Generally, it’s the attackers and blockers who receive all the attention, accolades and rewards.

Of the six players in a team, there is one with a different jersey colour than the rest of his teammates, and he/ she is referred as libero, who is the second line of defence against the attackers of the opposition.

Their key roles are receiving serve, digging attacks, and making passes from the second row to set up the team’s offence.

However in India, liberos have remained in the shadows and have not been given due credit.

K. Anand, the libero of Delhi Toofans in the recently concluded Prime Volleyball League (PVL) in Chennai, has been an exception to the rule. Toofans lost to Calicut Heroes in the final. In fact, it was a great performance given that it was the team’s debut in the PVL.

The 21-year-old from Kerala has been a game-changer with his exceptional digs. His acts of jumping high and celebrating a point made the crowd involved with the game. To put it short, he was the livewire of Toofans.

In fact, after seeing one of his diving photos and of Anand’s on twitter, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes wrote: “At least you (Anand) managed to get into the same frame as the ball — I need to work on my reach!”