Kiran Kumar Reddy and Kasi Viswanatha Raju finished ninth for India’s best result in the Chennai Challenger beach volleyball championship two years ago. The Andhra Pradesh pair want to crack the top-eight this time. “We forced a decider before going down to eventual champions Brazil in the pre-quarterfinals in 2008. After finishing seventh in an Asian tour event in Bangkok earlier this year, we are confident of going a step further in the second edition of the Chennai Challenger,” Kiran said.

Kiran and Kasi, who are both 30 years old, have been playing together ever since they switched from indoors to beach in 2004. Kiran was a national-level player in six-a-side and Kasi was a top-class setter before they fell for the lure of the beach. The bond between them has gained strength over the years as both of them work for Income Tax in Hyderabad.

“I think our decision to leave six-a-side was right because there was not much scope for it in Andhra Pradesh when we were young and raring to go. Even though beach volleyball is tougher, it is all about two individuals. If two people are ready to sweat it out, they can achieve something,” Kiran said.

Besides experience, another factor that has made the Andhra pair a top team in India is the right-left combination. Kiran, who is much taller than his team-mate, is a left-hander. “The right and left combination is a big plus in beach volleyball because an element of unpredictability is always there. Our opponents can’t judge the direction of the ball easily,” Kiran said.

The pair are widely believed to be the best in the country at the moment, even though they could only finish second to their state-mates, Jameluddin and Ravinder Reddy, in the last national championship. After a moment of hesitation, Kiran accepted the tag of India’s best team. “There is no ranking system in India, but I can say Kasi and I have been doing well to lay claim to the top spot,” he added.

As Hyderabad is land locked, Kiran and Kasi had to train in artificial courts to prepare for the Chennai Challenger 2010. Kasi isn’t worried about the drastically different conditions at the Elliot’s beach, the venue of the international event. “Adjusting to the wind is the main problem on the beach. As high temporary stands have been erected on three sides of the centre court, I think wind will not be a major headache here. Anyway, we arrived early to get acclimatized to the conditions here. We can also bank on our experience on the Asian tour where we have to play in different places under different climates,” he said.

Kiran would like to see more support for beach volleyball in India. “It’s an exciting sport. With a concrete long-term plan, India can make an impact in Asia. Monetary backing is critical for the game to go to the next level. For instance, we are forced to manage the funds on our own for foreign trips. The game should also get professional here. I get on-duty leave only for tournaments. I have to go to office otherwise,” Kiran said.

Kasi pointed out a paucity of tournaments at the national level. “We have no events apart from the nationals. We need events across the country regularly. Then only can the game’s profile be raised,” he added.