Durgapur | January 21, 2026 — As a biting winter chill settled over the industrial city of Durgapur tonight, the atmosphere inside the ASP Stadium was anything but cold. In what can only be described as a modern-day epic, Salem Steel Plant (SSP) secured a breathtaking victory against Tata in the quarter-finals of the SPSB Inter-Steel Volleyball Championship.
The match was more than just a contest of skill; it was a battle of nerves and raw emotion. From the first serve, the air was thick with tension. Tata, fielding a squad of seasoned veterans, initially dictated the pace, putting the defending champions under immense pressure. Yet, in a display of champion grit, Salem clawed their way back, clinching the first set 25-20 through sheer perseverance.
The second set, however, was where the heart of the sport truly beat. It was a "rudhoswash" (breathless) encounter. With the score locked at 16-16, every spike felt like a thunderclap and every save a miracle. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the two giants went point-for-point. In the end, it was Salem’s unstoppable spirit that carried them over the finish line, winning the set 25-23 and sealing the match.
As the final whistle blew, the freezing January night was forgotten. The warmth of victory and the tears of a hard-fought battle filled the arena. While Tata leaves the court with heads held high after a magnificent fight, Salem moves forward, having turned a cold winter evening into a night of golden glory.
