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Volleyball in India is set to get a boost with the RuPay Pro Volleyball League 2019 starting 2nd February. The league will have players from around the globe which will help the young Indian boys to learn and improve by playing alongside foreign stars. There are a total of six teams participating in the league, with each having two foreign stars in their ranks.
With this league, the sport will definitely get more viewership and exposure in the country. Volleyball Federation of India is not a rich body, and therefore, the players have to work as well in order to earn themselves a living. They have to maintain a perfect balance between their daily jobs and training, so as to keep their body in shape and be ready for international challenges. But this league will surely change the way volleyball is played and seen in India.
So, here's look at some of the star players that can play a crucial role for their respective sides in the first edition of the PVL.
#1 Mohan Ukkrapandian
Ukkra, as he is known, hails from Tamil Nadu in India. The 29-year-old has been playing for India for some time now. He made his debut long back in the year 2004. He wears jersey number 16.
Mohan's heroics at the national level earned him a job in the Indian Overseas Bank. The veteran of the sport plays as a setter which is known to be the most crucial position in volleyball. This position is much like a goalkeeper in hockey. He plays for Tamil Nadu which is a top domestic side in Indian volleyball.
Ukkra will play for Kochi Blue Spikers in the first ever RuPay Pro Volleyball League.
#2 GR Vaishnav
GR Vaishnav is a senior member and plays as a blocker for the Indian volleyball team. He comes from Coimbatore in Chennai and works for Indian Overseas Bank.
The 28-year-old was also the member of India's 2014 Asian Cup squad and won the award for the best blocker. He made his debut for India in the year 2007 and has been a regular fixture in the team since.
The experienced blocker will play for Ahmedabad Defenders in the inaugural season of the RuPay PVL.
#3 Sinnadhu Prabagaran
Kakka, as he is popularly known, made his international debut in 2013. He plays as an attacker and is one of the best players in the side.
The Indian Railways employee, Prabha, is one of the best smashers currently in the Asian Volleyball. He has also captained India at the 2015 Asian Volleyball Championship. In the PVL 2019, he will play for Kochi Blue Spikers.
#4 Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh hails from Jalandhar and plays as a setter for the Indian national side. He was the costliest buy in the auctions and went to Ahmedabad Defenders for Rs.13 lakh.
Singh, who has also captained India, actually left the game after his father's death in September last year.
The Punjab police officer is now looking ahead to play with the Beijing Olympic gold-medalist David Lee. Although the league does not have a team from north India, he is determined to play for Ahmedabad Defenders and help them to win the title, so that they can get to play in the Asia Clubs Cup.
#5 Akhin G S
The 27-year-old hails from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and plays as a Blocker for Indian national team. The BPCL employee has also represented India at the 2018 Asian Games.
Akhin is also known as the wall of Indian volleyball. The 204 cm tall blocker will play for Chennai Spartans in the 2019 Rupay Pro Volleyball League.
