Since things have opened after COVID, an NCR team has become stronger in the cricketing arena – Wishtown United (WTU). Formed in 2020, it’s played ~250 matches even after lockdowns. For total number of matches played in 2022, it stands 5th in Noida, 10th in UP & 25th across India out of 10,000+ teams.
WTU played 115 matches in 2022, making it to nine semi-finals. In 18 months, it’s reached the semi-finals of almost every tournament it’s participated in! It comprises working executives living in Wishtown.
Despite hectic work, brotherhood, passion & commitment to cricket keep WTU together. A core group (Kanishk, Saurabh, Arun Awana, Rohit Bansal, Frank Rausan Pereira) holds the unit together. It ensures the spirit of the game is followed.
The feather in the WTU cap has been winning its respective pool in the Gautam Buddha Premier League – a prestigious tournament with 32 NCR teams participating. GBPL spanned over 12 months. WTU played nine matches to emerge triumphant.
In the semi-finals, it put up 140 runs against Delhi Dominators, thanks to a knock of 47 runs by Frank, who also picked up a wicket & was adjudged the man-of-the-match. The opposition was bowled out for 120 runs due to a fiery spell by the pacers – Arun & Rohit – who gave away just 25 runs in 7 overs picking up one wicket apiece.
The new ball bowlers were supported by the spinners – Anshul Swaroop & Vipul Sharma – who picked up 3 wickets each.
In the finals, WTU lifted the trophy by defeating Alfa (GZB), a team that had beaten WTU in the league stages. Winning the toss & opting to bat, WTU scored 172/ 7 in 20 overs, powered by knocks by Vipul (62) & Rohit (47).
Alfa was bowled out for 115 in 17.4 overs. After a strong start by the chasing side, Rohit picked up 3 wickets in his opening spell. He was supported by the spinners Anshul (3 wickets) & Frank (2 wickets), giving away a measly 13 runs.
Rohit was adjudged man-of-the-finals & Arun, man-of-the-series.
Led by captain Vineet Vohra, WTU is looking at new challenges in 2023, the first one being going international soon & putting a Noida team on the world map.
WTU Players – Abhishek, Anshul, Gagandeep, Shashank, Tayyab, Vipul, Amit, Gagan, Akarsh, Gill, Hitesh, Anubhav, Osho, Raman, Shelender, Rajesh, Shantnu, Sumeet
by Anshu Gupta (PC-17/403, 9810075172)
