Delhi Toofans: an underdog which has exceeded all expectations
The new team in the Prime Volleyball League, which is a blend of talented Indians and seasoned internationals, is proving to be a force to reckon with
brand new team, a fresh batch of players, a revamped tournament format, and an underdog exceeding all expectations — that’s the story of Delhi Toofans’ maiden season in the Prime Volleyball League (PVL) as it gears up to face Calicut Heroes in the championship clash in Chennai on Thursday.
The inclusion of the ninth outfit necessitated a format change by the organisers. Earlier, a single roundrobin format determined the top four teams advancing to the semifinals.
This season, however, the top five progressed to another roundrobin league called Super 5. The winner of this secured a direct berth in the final, while the second and thirdplaced teams battled it out in the Eliminator.
In their initial 13 matches, Toofans have only suffered four losses and even enjoyed a sevengame winning streak en route to the Eliminator, where they edged past holder Ahmedabad Defenders in a thrilling fivesetter. Led by the seasoned India International Saqlain Tariq, also making his PVL debut, the team defied all odds by defeating last season’s finalist Bengaluru Torpedoes in its first match.
AThe core
Similar to other outfits, Toofans also boasts only two foreigners in the squad, placing the spotlight on the young Indian core under the guidance of veteran coach Manoj S. Nair. Players like S. Santhosh, K. Anand, Rohit Kumar, Anu James, and Amal Thomas have all stepped up when needed.
Santhosh, in particular, has garnered attention for his stellar performances. Currently, he is the league’s leading scorer with a staggering 148 points. The 23yearold outside hitter, hailing from Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, also enjoys a significant fanbase. On the day of the Eliminator, Toofans fans held a poster emblazoned with ‘Super Santhosh’ as he competed against his former team.
“Santhosh is a superstar. He possesses everything. He serves well, attacks fantastically, and his gamereading is exceptional. He is the future of Indian volleyball,” Toofans’ Serbian attacker Lazar Dodic told Sportstar.
Dodic, who is 200cm tall, is also impressed by young Indian teammates. “The other Indians are genuinely good. They have the potential to play in Europe. The only aspect requiring improvement is the system. I see a very bright future for India in volleyball,” he adds.
A surprise
Joining the PVL for the first time, Dodic lacked a clear understanding of the level of his Indian mates, but witnessing them in action left him pleasantly surprised.
“I was surprised by their exceptional skills. They are all fantastic and the training sessions were highly competitive,” added Dodic, who has been instrumental in Toofans’ success.
On the key difference between the European and Indian approaches to the sport, Dodic said: “In Europe, the primary focus is teaching players how to function within the system; everyone needs to understand their role on the court. I’m unsure how much emphasis Indians received on this aspect when they began playing.” Dodic has a wealth of experience in various top European leagues.
Toofans’ Colombian middleblocker, Daniel Aponza, leading the blocking charts with 25 blocks and 27 rebounds, has also been thoroughly impressed.
“Manoj is a brilliant coach; he emphasises teamwork over individual performances. All my teammates are